02 November 2002
International Space Station Marks Second Anniversary
(Orbiting station continues to expand in size and research capacity)
(750)
The International Space Station marks two years of continuous human
presence in space on November 2, 2002.
Already the largest and most sophisticated spacecraft ever built,
according to a NASA press release, the space station is continuing to
grow in size, weight, and research capacity as new components are
added.
For example, NASA said that in the past year astronauts have assembled
a transport system for the main truss that consists of a mobile base
for the station's Canadian robotic arm and a "hand car" for
spacewalkers.
"We are blazing a trail in space and on Earth, through research and
international cooperation, which can improve lives and expand
exploration," said Bill Gerstenmaier, program manager for the
International Space Station at the NASA Johnson Space Center in
Houston, Texas.
A total of 112 astronauts, scientists, engineers, and visitors from
six nations have been aboard the station since it was launched two
years ago.
Following is the text of a NASA press release issued on October 31:
(begin text)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Press Release
October 31, 2002
FIRST INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION TURNS TWO
The world's first international orbital outpost celebrates the second
anniversary of continuous residency and permanent human presence in
space Saturday, Nov. 2. The anniversary marks an ambitious and
virtually flawless year of expansion and research in space.
Already the largest, most sophisticated and powerful spacecraft ever
built, when its second year of occupancy began in 2001, the station
has grown by more than 25,000 kilograms in components added during the
past 12 months. Over the last two years, the station has grown by more
than 90,000 kilos, and its internal volume has increased from that of
an efficiency apartment to a three-bedroom house. This year,
construction began on the station's backbone, a truss structure that
eventually will support almost an acre of solar panels to provide more
power for orbital research than ever before.
"The International Space Station was truly spectacular a year ago, but
with each new assembly mission -- almost one every month -- it's
further enhanced," said Bill Gerstenmaier, International Space Station
Program Manager, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston. "Our success in
the past two years has been phenomenal. We are blazing a trail in
space and on Earth, through research and international cooperation,
which can improve lives and expand exploration. We have many
challenges ahead, but this team's continued hard work and dedication
will build a final facility that eclipses even today's station," he
said.
By the end of 2002, the station's truss will stretch almost 40 meters.
When completed in 2004, the truss will stretch 78 meters; longer than
a football field. This year has seen assembly of the first "space
railroad," including a mobile base on the truss for the station's
Canadian robotic arm and a "hand car" for spacewalkers.
As the station expands, so does its research capability. Experiments
aboard the complex have attained more than 90,000 hours of operating
time. Sixty-five U.S. investigations have been launched as well as
numerous international studies.
An example of Station-based research recently involved the first-ever
soybean crop grown in space. After spending nearly 100 days aboard the
Station and returning on a visiting Space Shuttle, the seeds are
undergoing several months of chemical and biological tests on Earth to
reveal whether their growth in a low-gravity environment changed their
chemical composition.
Soybeans are a leading source of protein in the human diet and are
used in many products, from oil to crayons. Space Station research, in
conjunction with commercial companies, in this area could lead to
producing crops that support long- term human presence in space and
possibly pave the way for improving crops grown on Earth.
In the past 12 months, 33 people have visited or lived aboard the
orbiting complex. A total of 112 visitors have been aboard the station
since it was launched, including men and women from six nations. The
first crewmembers docked with the Station to begin its permanent
occupancy on November 2, 2000. Five three-person crews have lived
aboard for durations ranging from four to more than six months. In its
second year of occupancy, astronauts and cosmonauts have conducted 16
spacewalks for maintenance and assembly of the Station.
More information about the Station is available on the Internet at:
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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