25 Years of Continuous Human Presence in Space

The International Space Station (ISS) is marking a remarkable milestone: 25 years of uninterrupted human presence in orbit. Since November 2, 2000, the station has been continuously occupied, hosting nearly 300 visitors from 26 countries. These guests have included professional astronauts, space tourists, and even a movie crew.

The station's journey began with three pioneers: NASA's Bill Shepherd and Russia's Sergei Krikalev and Yuri Gidzenko. They transformed the initial three-room structure into a habitable space laboratory. Today, the ISS has grown to the size of a football field, featuring multiple labs and advanced facilities.

Life aboard the station has significantly improved over the years. Astronauts now enjoy better living conditions, including internet phones for personal use and a glass-domed cupola for Earth viewing. They've conducted thousands of experiments, ranging from growing plants to studying the effects of space on the human body.

As the ISS approaches its final years of operation, NASA is collaborating with private companies to develop new orbiting stations, ensuring the continuation of human presence in space.