{"id":205474,"date":"2023-05-23T16:34:57","date_gmt":"2023-05-23T20:34:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?post_type=topic&p=205474"},"modified":"2023-09-27T15:27:25","modified_gmt":"2023-09-27T19:27:25","slug":"the-international-space-station-is-a-unique-place","status":"publish","type":"topic","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/the-international-space-station-is-a-unique-place\/","title":{"rendered":"The International Space Station is a Unique Place"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\" hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-secondary-navigation\"><div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-wrapper z-top width-100 padding-0\"><div id=\"\" class=\"hds-secondary-navigation width-full border-bottom-1px text-center hds-color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-hdsnav\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"hds-secondary-nav-mobile-button display-flex tablet:display-flex desktop:display-none width-full flex-align-center 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target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/space-station-overview\/\">Station Overview<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/reference\/international-space-station\/\">International Space Station Reference<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/international-space-station-assembly-elements\/\">Station Assembly Elements<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/ground-facilities\/\">Ground Facilities<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/space-station-international-cooperation\/\">International Cooperation<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/space-station-facts-and-figures\/\">Station Facts<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/space-station-visitors-by-country\">Station Visitors<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/space-station-astronaut-record-holders\">Station Record Holders<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/np-2015-05-022-jsc-iss-guide-2015-update-111015-508c.pdf?emrc=59b06a\">Reference Guide to the International Space Station (PDF)<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/lg-2023-05-010-jsc-iss-litho-updates.pdf?emrc=247539\">Station Lithograph (PDF)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"basic-nav-section-one\"><span>Station Topics<\/span><svg class=\"hds-desktop-submenu-toggle-icon display-none tablet:display-none desktop:display-block\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><svg class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon display-block tablet:display-block desktop:display-none\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"8\" cy=\"8\" r=\"7.5\" fill=\"#0B3D91\" stroke=\"white\"\/><rect x=\"4\" y=\"7.6001\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" fill=\"white\"\/><rect class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon-line-vertical\" x=\"7.59998\" y=\"12\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" transform=\"rotate(-90 7.59998 12)\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/button><ul id=\"basic-nav-section-one\" class=\"usa-nav__submenu\" hidden><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/space-station-research-and-technology\/\">Your Orbiting Laboratory<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/expedition-missions-content-list\/\">International Space Station Expeditions<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/space-station-visiting-vehicles\">Visiting Vehicles<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/space-station-spacewalks\/\">Station Spacewalks<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"basic-nav-section-one\"><span>Multimedia<\/span><svg class=\"hds-desktop-submenu-toggle-icon display-none tablet:display-none desktop:display-block\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><svg class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon display-block tablet:display-block desktop:display-none\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"8\" cy=\"8\" r=\"7.5\" fill=\"#0B3D91\" stroke=\"white\"\/><rect x=\"4\" y=\"7.6001\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" fill=\"white\"\/><rect class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon-line-vertical\" x=\"7.59998\" y=\"12\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" transform=\"rotate(-90 7.59998 12)\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/button><ul id=\"basic-nav-section-one\" class=\"usa-nav__submenu\" hidden><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/space-station-gallery\/\">Space Station Imagery<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLTXQuaxXBKKwtqw9fmVw9YnMKxz6FcmWf\" rel=\"noopener\">Space Station Videos (YouTube)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/international-space-station-news\/\">News Releases<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/spacestation\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Station Blogs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-topic-hero position-relative bg-carbon-black overflow-hidden width-full maxw-full grid-container display-flex flex-align-center flex-justify-center minh-tablet padding-y-9 padding-x-3 color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-topic-hero\"><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1049\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/s132-e-012212.jpg?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"The International Space Station orbiting the Earth.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 51% 50%; object-position: 51% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/s132-e-012212.jpg 4288w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/s132-e-012212.jpg?resize=300,205 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/s132-e-012212.jpg?resize=768,525 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/s132-e-012212.jpg?resize=1024,699 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/s132-e-012212.jpg?resize=1536,1049 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/s132-e-012212.jpg?resize=2048,1399 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/s132-e-012212.jpg?resize=400,273 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/s132-e-012212.jpg?resize=600,410 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/s132-e-012212.jpg?resize=900,615 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/s132-e-012212.jpg?resize=1200,820 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/s132-e-012212.jpg?resize=2000,1366 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-left mobile-skrim-top\"><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"hds-grid-container position-relative display-flex flex-align-center flex-justify-start width-full\">\n\t\t<div class=\"width-full maxw-tablet\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-7\">\n\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"display-72 font-weight-extrabold line-height-sm margin-bottom-2 color-spacesuit-white-important\">Unique Place<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p-lg margin-0 color-spacesuit-white-important\">The International Space Station is a unique place \u2013 a convergence of science, technology and human innovation that demonstrates new technologies and makes research breakthroughs not possible on Earth.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-hero-stats\">\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"color-spacesuit-white-important label margin-bottom-2\"><\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col grid-row flex-align-center padding-right-2 desktop:padding-right-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col grid-col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"stat-number line-height-sm color-nasa-blue-tint font-weight-thin font-mono-2xl\">5<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"color-spacesuit-white-important grid-col padding-left-2 tablet:padding-left-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"stat-value line-height-md\">International Space Agencies<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col grid-row flex-align-center padding-right-2  desktop:padding-right-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col grid-col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"stat-number line-height-sm color-nasa-blue-tint font-weight-thin font-mono-2xl\">15<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"color-spacesuit-white-important grid-col padding-left-2 tablet:padding-left-3 tablet:padding-left-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"stat-value line-height-md\">Countries<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The International Space Station is a Unique Place<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The International Space Station is a unique place \u2013 a convergence of science, technology and human innovation that demonstrates new technologies and makes research breakthroughs not possible on Earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/station\/research\/index.html\">microgravity laboratory<\/a> in which an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/station\/expeditions\/index.html\">international crew<\/a> of six people live and work while traveling at a speed of five miles per second, orbiting Earth every 90 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/iss068e016856.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/iss068e016856.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"The eleven Expedition 68 crew members aboard the International Space Station pose for a portrait. In the front row from left, are cosmonauts Anna Kikina, Sergey Prokopyev, and Dmitri Petelin. In the next row, are astronauts Samantha Cristoforetti of ESA (European Space Agency) and Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). In the back, are NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins, Kjell Lindgren, Bob Hines, Frank Rubio, Josh Cassada, and Nicole Mann. A symbolic key, representing the traditional change of command ceremony, that Cristoforetti earlier handed over to Prokopyev floats in the center of the frame as he begins his spaceflight as Expedition 68 Commander.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/iss068e016856.jpg 5568w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/iss068e016856.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/iss068e016856.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/iss068e016856.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/iss068e016856.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/iss068e016856.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/iss068e016856.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/iss068e016856.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/iss068e016856.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/iss068e016856.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/iss068e016856.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">The eleven Expedition 68 crew members aboard the International Space Station pose for a portrait. In the front row from left, are cosmonauts Anna Kikina, Sergey Prokopyev, and Dmitri Petelin. In the next row, are astronauts Samantha Cristoforetti of ESA (European Space Agency) and Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). In the back, are NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins, Kjell Lindgren, Bob Hines, Frank Rubio, Josh Cassada, and Nicole Mann. A symbolic key, representing the traditional change of command ceremony, that Cristoforetti earlier handed over to Prokopyev floats in the center of the frame as he begins his spaceflight as Expedition 68 Commander.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The space station has been continuously occupied since November 2000. In that time, 222 people from 18 countries have visited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Crew members spend about 35 hours each week conducting research in many disciplines to advance scientific knowledge in Earth, space, physical, and biological sciences for the benefit of people living on our home planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The station facilitates the growth of a robust commercial market in low-Earth orbit, operating as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/content\/what-is-the-iss-national-lab\/\">national laboratory<\/a> for scientific research and facilitating the development of U.S. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/exploration\/commercial\/index.html\">commercial cargo<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/commercialcrew\">commercial crew<\/a> space transportation capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/iss041e045469-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1363\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/iss041e045469-1.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"A panorama of the night sky and the Milky Way. There is a portion of the Earth visible showing the Sahara Desert golden sand with the purple and black image of space with thousands of white stars.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 52% 43%; object-position: 52% 43%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/iss041e045469-1.jpg 4256w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/iss041e045469-1.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/iss041e045469-1.jpg?resize=768,511 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/iss041e045469-1.jpg?resize=1024,681 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/iss041e045469-1.jpg?resize=1536,1022 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/iss041e045469-1.jpg?resize=2048,1363 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/iss041e045469-1.jpg?resize=400,266 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/iss041e045469-1.jpg?resize=600,399 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/iss041e045469-1.jpg?resize=900,599 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/iss041e045469-1.jpg?resize=1200,798 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/iss041e045469-1.jpg?resize=2000,1331 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">ISS041-E-045469 (27 Sept. 2014) — One of the Expedition 41 crew members aboard the International Space Station, flying at an altitude of 222 nautical miles above a point in the Atlantic Ocean several hundred miles off the coast of Africa near the Tropic of Cancer, photographed this eye-catching panorama of the night sky and the Milky Way on Sept. 27.  NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, flight engineer, tweeted the image, which was taken with an electronic still camera, set with a 24mm focal length.  In his accompanying comments, Wiseman  stated, “Sahara sands make the Earth glow orange.”<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>More than an acre of solar arrays provide power to the station, and also make it the next brightest object in the night sky after the moon. You don\u2019t even need a telescope to see it zoom over your house. And we\u2019ll even send you a text message or email alert to let you know when (and where) to look up, <a href=\"http:\/\/spotthestation.nasa.gov\/\" rel=\"noopener\">spot the station<\/a>, and wave!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The space station remains the springboard to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nextgiantleap\/\">NASA’s next great leap<\/a> in exploration, enabling research and technology developments that will benefit human and robotic exploration of destinations beyond low-Earth orbit, including asteroids and Mars. It is the blueprint for global cooperation \u2013 one that enables a multinational partnership and advances shared goals in space exploration.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-topic-cards nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-y-6 padding-x-3 color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-topic-cards\">\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block-lg padding-x-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-2\">Keep Exploring<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-36 line-height-sm\">More Humans in Space Topics<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2 hds-topic-cards-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/commercial-space\/commercial-crew-program\/commercial-crew-program-overview\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Commercial Crew Program Overview<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1037\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Launch-America-Banner-on-VAB.jpg?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Launch-America-Banner-on-VAB.jpg 6107w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Launch-America-Banner-on-VAB.jpg?resize=300,202 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Launch-America-Banner-on-VAB.jpg?resize=768,518 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Launch-America-Banner-on-VAB.jpg?resize=1024,691 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Launch-America-Banner-on-VAB.jpg?resize=1536,1037 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Launch-America-Banner-on-VAB.jpg?resize=2048,1382 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Launch-America-Banner-on-VAB.jpg?resize=400,270 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Launch-America-Banner-on-VAB.jpg?resize=600,405 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Launch-America-Banner-on-VAB.jpg?resize=900,607 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Launch-America-Banner-on-VAB.jpg?resize=1200,810 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Launch-America-Banner-on-VAB.jpg?resize=2000,1350 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/space-station-research-and-technology\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Space Station Research and Technology<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1536\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss064e015250.jpg?w=1024\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss064e015250.jpg 1041w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss064e015250.jpg?resize=200,300 200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss064e015250.jpg?resize=768,1152 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss064e015250.jpg?resize=682,1024 682w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss064e015250.jpg?resize=1024,1536 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss064e015250.jpg?resize=267,400 267w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss064e015250.jpg?resize=400,600 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss064e015250.jpg?resize=600,900 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss064e015250.jpg?resize=800,1200 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/space-station-research-and-technology\/benefits-for-humanity\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Station Benefits for Humanity<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/benefits-cover-cupola-for-web-mod.png?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/benefits-cover-cupola-for-web-mod.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/benefits-cover-cupola-for-web-mod.png?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/benefits-cover-cupola-for-web-mod.png?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/benefits-cover-cupola-for-web-mod.png?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/benefits-cover-cupola-for-web-mod.png?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/benefits-cover-cupola-for-web-mod.png?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/benefits-cover-cupola-for-web-mod.png?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/benefits-cover-cupola-for-web-mod.png?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/benefits-cover-cupola-for-web-mod.png?resize=1200,675 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/artemis\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Artemis<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1536\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Artemis-I.jpg?w=1024\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Artemis-I.jpg 5504w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Artemis-I.jpg?resize=200,300 200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Artemis-I.jpg?resize=768,1152 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Artemis-I.jpg?resize=683,1024 683w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Artemis-I.jpg?resize=1024,1536 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Artemis-I.jpg?resize=1365,2048 1365w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Artemis-I.jpg?resize=267,400 267w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Artemis-I.jpg?resize=400,600 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Artemis-I.jpg?resize=600,900 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Artemis-I.jpg?resize=800,1200 800w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Artemis-I.jpg?resize=1333,2000 1333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The International Space Station is a Unique Place The International Space Station is a unique place \u2013 a convergence of science, technology and human innovation that demonstrates new technologies and makes research breakthroughs not possible on Earth. It is a microgravity laboratory in which an international crew of six people live and work while traveling at a speed of [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":133,"featured_media":205481,"parent":179420,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[]},"categories":[2735,2656],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[3995,12011,12640],"coauthors":[10248],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"WebPage","headline":"The International Space Station is a Unique Place","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/the-international-space-station-is-a-unique-place\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/the-international-space-station-is-a-unique-place\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/s132-e-012212.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/s132-e-012212.jpg"},"articleSection":"Missions","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Mark A. Garcia"}],"creator":["Mark A. Garcia"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["Humans in Space","International Space Station (ISS)"],"dateCreated":"2023-05-23T20:34:57Z","datePublished":"2023-05-23T20:34:57Z","dateModified":"2023-09-27T19:27:25Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"The International Space Station is a Unique Place\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/the-international-space-station-is-a-unique-place\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"index\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/s132-e-012212.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2023-05-23T20:34:57Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"Missions\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"Humans in Space,International Space Station (ISS)\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Mark A. Garcia\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":2,"time_ago":"1 year","featured_image":{"id":205481,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/s132-e-012212.jpg","title":"The International Space Station","alt":"The International Space Station floating in space with the earth behind it","caption":"The International Space Station"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic\/205474"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/topic"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/133"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic\/205474\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":503420,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic\/205474\/revisions\/503420"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic\/179420"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/205481"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=205474"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=205474"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=205474"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=205474"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=205474"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}