NASA is observing the 25th anniversary of the International Space Station (ISS) with a live event held on December 6. The ISS, which has been operational since 1998, has played a pivotal role in space research and exploration, accommodating 273 astronauts and facilitating over 3,300 research projects.
To mark this milestone, NASA is hosting a live conversation with the crew aboard the microgravity laboratory, aiming to highlight the contributions of the ISS to humanity. Scheduled for 12:25 p.m. EST (9:25 a.m. PST) on Wednesday, December 6, this space-to-Earth call will feature discussions with NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana and Joel Montalbano, the space station program manager.
This event can be watched at no cost on demand via the NASA+ streaming service. Additionally, the live discussion will be broadcasted on NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency’s official website. Various platforms, including social media, will also provide options for streaming NASA TV.
The historic journey of the ISS began on December 6, 1998, when the first two elements of the orbital outpost, Unity and Zarya, were joined together by the crew of the space shuttle Endeavour’s STS-88 mission. Notably, Cabana served as the mission’s commander and was the first American to step foot into the space station.
Over the course of more than 23 years, astronauts from 21 countries have continuously inhabited and operated within the space station, conducting technology tests, scientific experiments, and honing the skills necessary for venturing farther away from Earth. The ISS has welcomed 273 individuals from various nations.
With more than 3,300 research and educational investigations carried out on the station, involving participants from 108 countries and regions, the ISS has played a vital role in advancing research and technology that benefits people on Earth. Moreover, it has laid the foundation for future commercial ventures in low Earth orbit and the exploration of deeper reaches within the solar system. These endeavors, in conjunction with NASA’s Artemis missions to the Moon, serve as crucial stepping stones in preparing for future human exploration of Mars.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Space Station Anniversary
Q: When did NASA mark the 25th anniversary of the International Space Station (ISS)?
A: NASA celebrated the 25th anniversary of the ISS on December 6, 2023.
Q: What is the significance of the International Space Station (ISS)?
A: The ISS has been pivotal in space research and exploration, serving as a platform for over 3,300 research projects and accommodating 273 astronauts from various countries.
Q: Who were the key figures involved in the ISS’s history?
A: The first two elements of the ISS, Unity and Zarya, were joined on December 6, 1998, by the crew of the space shuttle Endeavour’s STS-88 mission, led by Commander Bob Cabana, who also became the first American to enter the space station.
Q: Where can I watch the live event commemorating the ISS’s 25th anniversary?
A: The live event can be watched on the NASA+ streaming service, NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, and NASA’s official website. Various social media platforms also offer streaming options.
Q: How has the ISS contributed to research and technology development?
A: The ISS has been a hub for more than 3,300 research and educational investigations involving participants from 108 countries. Its work has advanced technology, scientific knowledge, and has potential applications benefiting people on Earth, as well as setting the stage for future space exploration.
Q: What are NASA’s future plans related to space exploration and the ISS?
A: NASA’s Artemis missions to the Moon and continued utilization of the ISS are crucial in preparing for future human exploration of Mars, as these missions serve as proving grounds for the technologies and knowledge needed for deep space exploration.
More about Space Station Anniversary
- NASA’s Official ISS 25th Anniversary Page
- NASA Television
- NASA App
- NASA’s YouTube Channel
- Artemis Missions to the Moon
- International Space Station Research
5 comments
Mars is the goal, ISS helps, artemis, nasa’s future, so exciting!
nasa’s doin’ it again, ISS been around long time, many astronauts, so many projects, go watch the show!
Where’s the link to NASA+ streaming? I wanna watch that event!
Great article but watch those typos – it’s “focus,” not “fokus,” and “questions,” not “quesitons.” Otherwise, interesting read!
wow, nasa, so cool, iss, 25 years, big deal, lots of research, moon and mars next!