Facts about the International Space Station
- 07
Gravity's absence causes fluid to accumulate in astronauts' faces during their first days aboard the International Space Station, making their heads swell noticeably larger.
- 06
In 1998, the first module of the International Space Station launched, with Russian Zarya spacecraft serving as the initial core component of what would become humanity's largest orbital outpost.
- 05
Urine and sweat aboard the International Space Station get recycled into drinking water through a complex purification system that recovers approximately 93 percent of wastewater.
- 04
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station consume approximately 1.8 kilograms of food and water daily, with meals prepared by rehydrating or heating pre-packaged items in the microgravity environment.
- 03
Solar panels on the International Space Station generate 120 kilowatts of power, enough electricity to run about 40 homes on Earth.
- 02
Approximately 2.3 million kilograms of material comprise the International Space Station, making it the heaviest object ever constructed in orbit.
- 01
Orbiting Earth every 90 minutes, the International Space Station completes 16 sunrises and sunsets daily for its rotating crew of six astronauts.