A space station is a large spacecraft in low Earth orbit designed to be a permanent or semi-permanent home and research lab for astronauts. Unlike spacecraft that travel to and from Earth, space stations stay in orbit for extended periods, allowing long-term human presence in space.
Key purposes:
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Scientific research in microgravity.
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Earth and space observation.
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Technology testing for future space missions.
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International cooperation in space exploration.
History of Space Stations
Early Concepts:
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The idea of a space station dates back to early 20th-century visionaries like Konstantin Tsiolkovsky and Wernher von Braun.
Actual Space Stations:
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Salyut Program (USSR): First series of space stations launched in the 1970s. Salyut 1 was the first ever space station (1971).
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Skylab (USA): America’s first space station, launched in 1973.
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Mir (USSR/Russia): Launched in 1986, it was the first modular space station, operated until 2001.
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International Space Station (ISS): The largest and most advanced space station, a collaboration of NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, JAXA, and CSA, continuously inhabited since 2000.
How Space Stations Work
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They orbit Earth at about 400 km altitude.
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They have living quarters, laboratories, solar panels for power, communication systems, and docking ports for visiting spacecraft.
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Microgravity environment allows experiments impossible on Earth.
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Resupply missions bring food, equipment, and scientific tools.
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Crews typically stay for 6-month shifts.
Importance of Space Stations
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They help study the effects of long-term spaceflight on the human body.
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Enable development of technologies for deep space exploration.
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Promote peaceful international collaboration.
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Provide a platform for testing space manufacturing and biology.