Since the first flight by Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin in 1961, scientists have been developing new means to reach space and increase time spent there.

The International Space Station (ISS) is a major step forward in gaining knowledge and learning to master this fascinating environment, by enabling astronauts to live and work in space aboard a station expected to be operational for at least 10 years.

The space station is as big as a football pitch, and will require more than 40 flights to assemble around 100 components. To accomplish this unprecedented endeavour, the United States, Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe with 11 ESA member countries (including France), have joined forces.

The scientific challenges are enormous, as ISS offers a unique experimental platform for life sciences and materials science, physics, as well as for observation of the Earth and the Universe.

The first ISS element, Russia’s Zarya module, was launched in 1998. Since November 2000, 3 astronauts take turns continuously in the station. ISS' work schedule and its final shape are planned for 2010.

^{Last updated: August 2008}