International Space Station- Ehan Mallick

When we discuss the greatest engineering achievements in human history, one of the first

that comes to mind is undoubtedly the International Space Station. It is remarkable in the

fact that not only was it an international collaboration between 15 countries, but in that it was

created entirely in space. A whopping 408 kilometers above the Earth’s surface flies a

symbol of cutting edge technology, human innovation, and problem solving.

Construction of the ISS began in 1998 when Russia launched the Zarya module into outer

space. Since then, the station has been assembled piece by piece, with contributions from

Europe, Canada, the USA, Japan, and Russia. The engineering required for this

interconnected structure is nothing short of incredible. Astronauts space-walking to manually

attach entire rooms is extraordinary, and sometimes they had to make repairs and changes

on the go. For instance, the Columbus laboratory module, launched by Europe, was an

intricate and risky procedure requiring immense skill and perfect timing.

The ISS is equipped with solar arrays that power its system and is designed to support a

rotating crew of astronauts who live and work in space for months, or even years at a time.

They conduct experiments in zero gravity, contributing to a better understanding of physics,

biology and medical science.

Building the ISS in space taught us valuable lessons about the challenges of construction

and maintenance of structures beyond the Earth. Today, it stands as a testament to the

results of collaboration, technological innovation and ground-breaking engineering.