International Space Station

International Space Station

The International Space Station (ISS) an international effort, home to six astronauts from across the globe at one time. The station is roughly the size of a football pitch, making it the single largest human structure to be put in space. Contributors include NASA and the European Space agency. Astronauts fly to the ISS in Soyuz space capsules and stay there for roughly six months to carry out various research tasks and maintenance

Nukes in space: Why a very very stupid idea just became more likely

Fears of a Cold War nightmare are resurfacing.
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If you farted hard enough in space, could you move yourself around?

You can eat as many beans as you like in space, apparently.
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NASA tool bag tonight: How to see the dropped space box floating across the sky

On 1 November, two astronauts misplaced a toolbox which floated away during routine checks. Now, the lost property will be visible above several places in the UK and North America – here’s everything you need to know.
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Axiom-1: Everything you need to know about the first private mission to the ISS

When is Axiom-1 launching, and where can you watch it?
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Why is the ISS being retired and what will happen to it?

NASA has set out a timeline for the last decade of the ageing space station's life that includes private occupants, movies and a watery grave.
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Top 10: Heaviest spacecraft

Heading into space isn’t easy but who has the heaviest spacecraft for the job – Russia, the US or European Space Agency?
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Why does China want to build a kilometre-long spacecraft? And is it even possible?

Buoyed on by its recent successful Moon missions, the Asian superpower has launched a five-year study to investigate the possibility of building the biggest spacecraft the world has ever seen.
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Astronauts install a new solar power array on the ISS during a epic six-hour spacewalk

The new array is half the size of the original one, but will generate roughly the same amount of power.
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Worm astronauts will help us safely send humans on deep space missions

Scientists are sending hundreds of worms to the International Space Station in order to understand why astronauts experience loss of muscle mass and strength in space.
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New strains of bacteria found on the International Space Station

Three unknown species have been discovered growing on the ISS, but don't break out the anti-bac wipes just yet.
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How can I spot the International Space Station?

Earth’s biggest artificial satellite is visible all year round.
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Living at low gravity could alter your DNA, suggests study of worms in space

Spending just days on the International Space Station could alter 1,000 genes, indicates a new study on worms.
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NASA astronauts to take first SpaceX ‘taxi service’ to ISS

The crew are scheduled for lift-off shortly after midnight on Sunday.
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Crew Dragon successfully docks with ISS

US astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken set foot on the International Space Station and are now part of the Expedition 63 crew.
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Everything you need to know about the Demo-2 space launch

For the first time in nine years, astronauts will depart for the International Space Station from US soil.
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Historic SpaceX launch a 'major milestone' in space exploration

Astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley are on course to make history when they travel to the ISS on a rocket built by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk’s firm.
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Tim Peake's space seeds grew slower back on planet Earth

A million rocket salad seeds were sent to the International Space Station in 2015 where they remained for six months.
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NASA to resume launching astronauts from US soil

Only three countries have launched people into orbit since 1961.
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Space lettuce - tastes awesome, and now confirmed safe and nutritious too

Study finds plants grown in space were even richer in a number of elements, including potassium, sodium and zinc, although they did have higher levels of bacteria.
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The Antarctic base preparing for human space colonies

At a remote outpost in Antarctica, scientists are growing vegetables.
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Major Tim Peake plants trees grown from space-faring seeds

The saplings, which were grown from seeds which spent six months aboard the International Space Station, were planted at the home of Sir Isaac Newton.
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