International Space Station

20Jan07

ISS photographed by the Space Shuttle

The ISS in its present configuration, photographed from Shuttle Discovery on December 19th, 2006 during the STS-116 mission. An incredible view from some 220 statute miles above our big blue marble.

Since construction of the ISS has resumed in full after the setbacks suffered by the Shuttle program (e.g. Columbia accident, previous issues with foam shedding from the external tank), I’d wanted to beef up on my knowledge of the Station and what’s in store between now and 2010 when the existing orbiters are scheduled to be retired. As a result, I’d planned over the weekend to pick up a new book in the Apogee series on space in order to brush up on all the the pertinent details. While the folks at NASA probably weren’t reading my mind, it’s a neat coincidence that yesterday they published a comprehensive online reference manual detailing all things ISS, which appears identical to the book linked above. It’s available in a sequence of .pdf files linked below (Adobe Reader is required for viewing) — and, please note that these files are pretty sizable, so dial-up users should avoid them and opt for the hard copy.

· Introduction / Table of Contents
· Assembly Stages
· Elements
· Transportation / Logistics
· Systems
· International Facilities and Operations
· Missions
· Interesting Facts
· Appendix
· Partners / Contacts

It should also be noted that with upcoming additions to the Station including new solar arrays, the ISS should become brighter and brighter in the night sky, making for a particularly appealing target for we amateur astronomers. Apparently nobody’s yet sure of what visual magnitude the platform will reach, but rest assured it will become increasingly prominent toward its completion. You won’t require any serious optical equipment in order to view the International Space Station; all you need are your eyes and suitably dark observing conditions. In order to see when ISS will pass overhead in your area, surf over to Heavens Above and check out the pass predictions listed.

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Filed under: Astronomy, Spaceflight, Observing   |  

5 Responses to “International Space Station”  

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  1. 1 sunil on Jan 22nd, 2007 said:

    Thanks Wolverine, very nice view of ISS on the blue canvass. I would like to enjoy the photos taken from ISS of the space and other plantes and stars looking from that spot.

    sunil :)

  2. 2 Wolverine on Jan 23rd, 2007 said:

    There isn’t much astrophotography done from the ISS, but there sure are lots of gorgeous pictures of the Earth. If you’d like to browse through the last Shuttle mission photo gallery you can find many more beautiful images:

    http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/shuttle/sts-116/ndxpage1.html

    This is one of my favorites:

    http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/shuttle/sts-116/html/s116e05983.html

  3. 3 sunil on Jun 9th, 2008 said:

    Hi Wolverine

    how far the iss camera took the images if there is complete clouds on a particular area of earth,is that camera capable to take x-ray images instead of routine image when there are clouds. !

    sunil

  4. 4 Sandeep on Jun 10th, 2008 said:

    Dear sir,
    i am not interested in all astronomy but my friend sent me a link i forcibly i have open the same & took time to write few words
    Sandeep

  5. 5 sunil deshpande on Jul 12th, 2008 said:

    wolverine, Sandeep is my friend since childhood, he is so much intelligent in the field of geology,computer,ccd camera etc. and his house is just infront of my house. I told him that the images with the wolverine’s den are so much beautiful hence I show him previously your international space station image.

    Because we people never seen before such a beautiful images. :)

    sunil (suntrack)

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