NASA

Suggested Searches

LIVE 12:25 p.m. EST

On Dec. 6, 1998, the crew of space shuttle mission STS-88 began construction of the International Space Station, attaching the U.S.-built Unity node and the Russian-built Zarya module together in orbit. The crew carried a large-format IMAX® camera, used to take this image of Unity lifted out of Endeavour's payload bay to position it upright for connection to Zarya. Zarya, launched on Nov. 20, 1998, was the first piece of the International Space Station. Also known as the Functional Cargo Block (FGB), it would provide a nucleus of orientation control, communications and electrical power while the station waited for its other elements. Two weeks later, on Dec. 4, 1998, NASA's space shuttle Endeavour launched Unity, the first U.S. piece of the complex, during the STS-88 mission.

ISS Expedition 70 In-Flight Event

In-flight event to mark the 25th Anniversary of the mating of the Zarya and Unity modules during the STS-88 Space Shuttle Mission.

The Space Station Turns 25

The International Space Station advances scientific knowledge in Earth, space, physical, and biological sciences for the benefit of all.

Watch

Video

Building and Updating Space Station

Video

Unique Laboratory

DISCover

Space Station Science

Send Your Name to Jupiter’s Moon Europa

Go farther with NASA — all the way to Jupiter’s icy moon Europa. Sign up to send your name on NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft by Sunday, Dec. 31.

Sign Up

ENVÍA TU NOMBRE A EUROPA

EXPLORING AN ICY WORLD

Europa Clipper Mission

POTENTIAL FOR LIFE

Jupiter’s Moon Europa

This view of Jupiter's icy moon Europa was captured by JunoCam, the public engagement camera aboard NASA's Juno spacecraft, during the mission's close flyby on Sept. 29, 2022.

Technology Drives Exploration

NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate aims to transform future missions while ensuring American leadership in aerospace.

Latest Space Technologies

TECHNOLOGY

Deep Space Optical Communications

TECHNOLOGY

Starling CubeSats

TECHNOLOGY

Commercial Moon Deliveries

NASA’s Psyche spacecraft is shown in a clean room

Featured News

NASA’s Psyche Delivers First Images and Other Data

NASA, Partners Launch US Greenhouse Gas Center to Share Climate Data

Digging Deeper to Find Life on Ocean Worlds

NASA Continues Progress on Artemis III Rocket Adapter with Key Joint Installation

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson Participates in Space Agencies Leaders’ Summit at COP…

NASA Audio Specialist Named in Forbes 30 Under 30 List of Innovators

NASA Honors Steve Jurczyk, Former Acting Administrator, Space Leader

NASA Remembers Trailblazing Astronaut, Scientist Mary Cleave

live broadcast

NASA’s VIPER Moon Rover: Robot Build Watch Party

We’re building our first robotic Moon rover! Join us Wednesday, Dec. 6 and Thursday, Dec. 7, at 3 p.m. EST to chat with VIPER mission experts and watch history in the making.

Mission Objectives

Today

Image Of The Day

Saturn and Jupiter Conjunction

The Moon, left, Saturn, upper right, and Jupiter, lower right, are seen after sunset from Washington, DC, Thurs. Dec. 17, 2020. The two planets drew closer to each other in the sky as they headed towards a “great conjunction” on Dec. 21, where the two giant planets appeared a tenth of a degree apart.

Browse Image Archive

Today

Image Of The Day

Hubble’s Servicing Mission 1

Story Musgrave shares firsthand accounts of the groundbreaking mission that revitalized the Hubble Space Telescope, allowing it to capture breathtaking images and unlock the secrets of the cosmos. Discover the challenges, the triumphs, and the incredible journey that made it all possible.

Watch on YouTube

Latest News

More NASA News Releases

NASA Leaders to Highlight 25th Anniversary of Space Station with Crew

NASA, Partners Launch US Greenhouse Gas Center to Share Climate Data

NASA Remembers Trailblazing Astronaut, Scientist Mary Cleave

NASA to Provide Live Coverage of Space Station Cargo Launch, Docking

NASA Leadership to Participate in Global Climate Change Conference

Keep Exploring

Discover More Topics From NASA

Missions

Humans In Space

NASA History

Value of NASA