International Space Station's Population Boom

Orbiting Outpost Breaks Record for Largest Gathering in Space

Sep 12, 2009

Global cooperation between NASA and other space administrations has led to breakthroughs at the International Space Station- including a growing space population.

In July of 2009 the space shuttle Endeavour blasted off for the International Space Station and made history. When the shuttle's seven astronauts joined the six crew members on the orbiting outpost, it marked the largest gathering of humans in space; a gathering that marks just how far the International Space Station program has come.

New Construction Leads to Population Boom

When it comes to space milestones, the number thirteen is not new. During previous missions, that many humans have been in orbit all at once. The difference is that in the past, the space population has been spread out between the International Space Station (ISS) and different shuttle craft. But when Endeavour linked up with the ISS in 2009, thirteen astronauts were able to gather in one place at the same time.

This would not be possible without the steady pace of construction and the one hundred plus spacewalks that took place since 1998. Since then, the orbiting facility has grown literally piece by piece during its roughly ten years of assembly. Now, the station boasts five modules, each about the size of a school bus; not to mention two nodes that not only connect the pieces of the station together but also provide additional living space.

Microgravity Experiments Benefit Humankind

Besides being able to host larger numbers of shuttle astronauts, new construction at the ISS means the station's full complement of scientists and mission specialists increased from three to six. Along with the station's three laboratory modules, that means each mission has the space and personnel to support around fifty experiments; and they are being conducted in one of the most unique environments known to humankind.

Because Earth's gravity is lacking, this environment causes atoms, cells, and organisms to act differently and this has led to ground breaking scientific discoveries. Some of these findings have to do with how the human body behaves in space and will be used to support missions to the moon and Mars but much of the knowledge gained at the ISS is directly benefiting those bound on Earth.

That's according to a NASA report on scientific findings at the ISS, released in 2009. Included in their analysis, NASA reports that space station research has led to these findings and new technologies:

Global Cooperation Leads to Scientific Discoveries

In 1998 the first module, called Zarya, was launched into space by Russia and marked the beginning of space station construction. Since then, the Discovery, Kibo, and Columbus labs, built by the USA, Japan, and the European Space Agency respectively, have been added as well as a huge robotic arm built in Canada. As a result of this multinational effort, more people than ever before can visit and reside at the ISS.

But the fact that thirteen people were able to gather there at once may just be a side note. According to NASA, the Station's potential is to be much more than just a human outpost in space. Instead, the Station's real importance is to be a state-of-the-art international science facility where impactful research is conducted every day.

International Space Station Science Research Accomplishments During the Assembly Years: An Analysis of Results from 2000 - 2008; NASA, 2009

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The copyright of the article International Space Station's Population Boom in Space Exploration is owned by Jason O'Hare. Permission to republish International Space Station's Population Boom in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.