While past stations, including those from the Soviet Union, existed temporarily, the ISS and TSS are the current stations, and there is potential for more in the future.

Space stations, like the International Space Station (ISS) and China’s Tiangong Space Station (TSS), provide a constant human presence in space. These stations conduct experiments to understand the effects of extended zero gravity on the human body, serving as essential platforms for future space exploration.

History Of Space Stations

The first space station, Salyut 1, was made by the Soviet Union in 1971. It had only two human missions, Soyuz 10 and Soyuz 11. Soyuz 10 couldn’t dock, but Soyuz 11 succeeded, and the crew stayed for 23 days. Unfortunately, during the return, a valve issue led to the loss of air, causing the crew’s tragic death. The Soviet Union launched more space stations from 1971 to 1973, but none were manned. In 1973, the United States launched Skylab, its first space station, where astronauts spent about 24 weeks until it fell to Earth in 1979.

After Skylab, the United States didn’t launch another space station until the ISS was built. In the rest of the 1900s, the Soviet Union continued with its Salyut program, launching more space stations. One of the most well-known was Mir, launched in 1986, which operated until 2001 (operated by Russia after the Soviet Union fell). Mir, the largest artificial satellite at the time, conducted numerous experiments, proving that humans could live permanently in Earth’s orbit.

The International Space Station

For many people, the most well-known space station is the International Space Station (ISS). It has been orbiting Earth for more than 23 years and has been our main home in space. The ISS construction began in 1998, and it’s a collaboration involving countries like the United States, Russia, Japan, European Union, and Canada.

It has been continuously inhabited since 2000, with about 11 people on board in 2023. While the U.S. and Russia provide most of the funding, all member states contribute different technologies, showcasing international cooperation. After Russia’s Mir space station ended, the ISS became the largest object in Earth’s orbit and keeps growing. Scientists regularly add new modules, with the latest one attached in 2021. Funding extends its operation until 2030, making it a continuous human presence in space since 2000. As of 2022, 251 astronauts from 20 countries have visited the ISS.

China’s Space Stations

China is the only major country in space activities that doesn’t join missions to the ISS. Instead, China creates and sends out its own space stations. The first one, Tiangong-1, was launched on September 29, 2011, and operated for two years. After it was retired, it stayed in orbit until 2018, when it burned up re-entering Earth’s atmosphere. Tiangong-1 aimed to check China’s abilities in space and pave the way for building more space stations in the future.

On September 15, 2016, China launched its second space station, Tiangong-2. Instead of creating a permanent home in space, the main goal was to test the technology needed for future permanent habitats. After just three years, Tiangong-2 was retired and burned up upon re-entry in 2019.

In 2021, China launched its current space station, the Tiangong Space Station (TSS). As of 2023, the TSS is fully operational with a crew and signifies China’s ongoing presence in space. Continuous habitation started in June 2022 with the Shenzhou 14 crew. The TSS reached a crucial stage in 2022 by adding two laboratory modules, Wentian (launched on July 24, 2022) and Mengtian (launched on October 31, 2022), significantly enhancing its research capabilities for various scientific experiments. In 2023, a record was achieved with 17 people in orbit simultaneously, including six aboard the TSS.

conclusion

The space race is a positive competition that welcomes participation from all countries, offering benefits to humanity. Beyond technological advancements, nations collaborate on projects like the ISS, fostering cooperation even among those with tense political relations, paving the way for a more positive future relationship.