International Space Station (ISS) Components

ISS, an international aerospace project started in 1998, represents an ongoing effort to construct the biggest research facility to ever orbit Earth. Because ISS will eventually be a massive space station, its construction and assembly has been spread out over nearly two decades and a number of missions. While ISS is currently equipped to sustain three crewmembers, when complete in 2010, it will have the capacity for six crewmembers. 
 
Given the scope of this project, it's no surprise that many countries have been involved in building ISS. Some of the primary partners associated with planning and assembly of this space station include:
  • Canada
  • England
  • France
  • Germany
  • Japan
  • Russia
  • United States.
When these partners and others initially came together, they planned for the assembly of ISS to take place in 14 missions. While the first few missions consisted of setting up the power supply, environmental systems and rudimentary living quarters for crew, the later missions are projected to complete the living quarters and research stations. Currently, half of these missions (seven of 14) have been completed.
 
In this section, we will take a closer look at the various components currently on and planned to be a part of ISS. Our articles will discuss the process of assembling each component, as well as the ultimate function each will serve on the International Space Station.

Destiny Laboratory

While the Destiny Laboratory wasn't the first module added to ISS, when added in 2001, it became the first docking, living and research area for U.S. astronauts. Interestingly, the Destiny Laboratory Module is the United States' second permanently manned research spacecraft, filling the void left when U.S. astronauts vacated the Skylab in the mid-1970s.
 
Divided into three parts, the Destiny Laboratory contains complicated racking systems that provide this module with water, air, power and other life support systems. Similarly, the Minus 80° Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI), the unit in which astronauts will store research samples and other reactive substances, is also housed within the Destiny Laboratory.

Harmony

Added to ISS in October 2007, the Harmony Module, also referred to as Node 2, is the main access point where a number of other modules and components can connect to ISS. Harmony is an effective hub because it contains six Common Berthing Mechanisms (CBMs), universal docking stations that offer a pressure-tight seal and immediate power and fluid transfer to any non-Russian docking craft or module (Russian spacecraft have unique configurations that are incompatible with CBMs).
 
While the addition of Harmony to ISS nearly completes all of the U.S. components to ISS, it also paves the way for the Japanese Kibo and the European Columbus Modules to become part of ISS. Upon completion, these later two modules will be connected to the Harmony Module.

Japanese Experiment Module

With its assembly to ISS in March 2008, the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) is the largest individual component that makes up ISS. Also referred to as Kibo, meaning "hope" in Japanese, the JEM is divided into four parts, which include the:
  • Experiment Logistics Module (ELM) to serve as storage space and aid in transportation
  • Exposed Facility (EF) to conduct research in space (This part of the JEM is also called the Terrace.)
  • Pressurized Module (PM) to serve as the main habitable quarters in JEM
  • Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS) to control and service the EF and ELM.
NASA assembled this module in three separate flights because of the overwhelming size of the Japanese Experiment Module.
 
Resource
 
NASA (2008). International Space Station. Retrieved February 14, 2008, from the NASA Web site.