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Space Station Assembly

  • Mission LF1

    International Space Station Assembly - Past Flights

    Construction of the International Space Station began with the launch of the Zarya Module in November 1998.

  • Automated Transfer Vehicle

    Automated Transfer Vehicle

    The European Automated Transfer Vehicle is a new generation of unpiloted cargo carriers designed to supply the International Space Station with liquid and dry cargo as well as gases.

  • Illustration showing the Columbus module exterior.

    European Columbus Module

    Built by the European Space Agency, the Columbus laboratory module will expand the Station's research facilities.

  • Pirs Docking Compartment

    Pirs Docking Compartment

    Pirs is a docking port for transport and cargo vehicles and an airlock for spacewalking.

  • Quest Airlock

    Quest Joint Airlock

    Quest enables crewmembers to perform Station spacewalks in U.S. or Russian spacesuits.

  • Astronaut Peggy Whitson works in Destiny Lab

    U.S. Destiny Laboratory

    Destiny is the centerpiece of NASA science on the Station.

  • MPLM interior

    Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules

    Italian-built Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules deliver tons of supplies to the Space Station.

  • Progress spacecraft

    Russian Progress Spacecraft

    Unpiloted Progress spacecraft deliver fuel, equipment and supplies to the Station.

  • Russian Soyuz spacecraft

    Russian Soyuz Spacecraft

    Soyuz TMA vehicles deliver crews, equipment and supplies to the Station.

  • Canadarm2

    Canadarm2 and the Mobile Servicing System

    Canada is contributing an essential component of the International Space Station, the Mobile Servicing System.

  • Kibo

    Kibo Japanese Experiment Module

    The Japanese Experiment Module is Japan's first human space facility and enhances the unique research capabilities of the International Space Station.

  • U.S. Node 2

    Harmony Node 2

    The installation of NASA's Harmony Node increases the living and working space inside the station to approximately 500 cubic meters (18,000 cubic feet). It also allows the addition of international laboratories from Europe and Japan to the station.

  • Cargo Double Module

    SPACEHAB Logistics Double Module

    The SPACEHAB double module is a pressurized, mixed-cargo carrier which supports various quantities, sizes, and locations of experiment hardware.

  • The ISS with newly equipped S0 truss

    Integrated Truss Structure

    Composed of multiple elements delivered by the space shuttle, the Integrated Truss Structure forms the backbone of the station.

  • Unity Node

    Unity Node 1

    The Unity Node is a connecting passageway to living and work areas of the International Space Station.

  • The Russian-built Zarya

    Zarya Module

    The U.S.-funded and Russian-built Zarya is a U.S. component of the station, although it was built and launched by Russia.

  • The International Space Station with the Zvezda Service Module

    Zvezda Service Module

    The Service Module was the first fully Russian contribution to the International Space Station and served as the early cornerstone for the first human habitation of the station.

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