It will have four times the laboratory space of Mir and 60 times the electrical power. No one has been able to come up with a name that is satisfactory to all the participants, so it remains known officially as the International Space Station. The first component of the International Space Station is to be launched Friday. During the next six years, at least 45 launches will carry more than 100 more segments into space, where they'll be assembled by robotic arms and spacewalking astronauts. Later, Zarya will be used as a passageway, docking port and fuel tank.
Solar arrays generate electricity for the module.
11 feet wide 35 feet long Zarya control module 41.2 feet long 13.5 feet wide The shuttle's robotic arm will capture Zarya and join it to Unity on the third day of Endeavour's flight. Six ports will connect station components. Convert the sun's light into electricity. Expel space station's excess heat.