Connect to the Mission


Station Live

ISS Video› Video


Station in Orbit

ISS Sightings› Station Sightings

ISS Tracker› Station Tracker

Spot The Station› Spot The Station


Station Social Media

Station Facebook› Station Facebook

Station Twitter Astronauts› Station Astronauts

Station Twitter Research› Station Research

Station YouTube Playlist› Station YouTube Playlist

Station Flickr Set› Station Flickr Set

International Partners

ISS Benefits for Humanity

Dr. Morrison with MEPS flight hardware ready to pack for the International Space Station UF-2 mission. (NASA)

Cancer Treatment Delivery

The International Space Station has provided a microgravity platform that has enabled advancements in the cancer treatment process.

› Read More
An Uchu Renshi Symposium is held every year after the completion of Ucyu Renshi to publicize them. (JAXA)

Ucyu Renshi: Connecting Global People With Words

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency started the Ucyu Renshi program to connect people and allow them to feel more involved in space activities.

› Read More
Astronaut Randolph Bresnik with the unfurled AIS antenna, attached to Columbus for use in experimental tracking of VHF signals of ships at sea. (NASA)

Space Station Keeps Watch on World's Sea Traffic

As the International Space Station circles Earth, it has been tracking individual ships crossing the seas beneath.

› Read More
Former ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter undertaking science activities for the Nitric Oxide Analyzer (NOA) experiment in 2006. (ESA)

Are You Asthmatic? Your New Helper Comes From Space

Kalle, a 10-year-old boy, is already in favor of space technology. He knows almost everything about nitric oxide -- a gas we all breathe out.

› Read More
Students at Daltonbasisschool de Tjalk in Lelystad, Netherlands participate in the Building an Astronaut Core activity. (ESA)

Students Get Fit the Astronaut Way

When you think of NASA, likely you picture the space shuttle. NASA's Mission X: Train Like an Astronaut, however, focuses a little closer to home.

› Read More
Screen capture of the Atlas of the Lagoon with a portion of the canal system (bright blue) added as an additional layer. (NASA)

Monitoring the Health of the Lagoon of Venice

The Lagoon of Venice, together with the city of Venice and sensitive wetlands, is subsiding into the Adriatic Sea, creating flood risks.

› Read More

Benefits of ISS Research

    The International Space Station as seen from the departing Atlantis space shuttle, May 23, 2010. (NASA) Earth framing the International Space Station in May 2010 following undocking of Atlantis during the STS-132 mission. (NASA)
    View large image     Almost as soon as the International Space Station was habitable, researchers began using it to study the impact of microgravity and other space effects on several aspects of our daily lives. This unique scientific platform continues to enable researchers from all over the world to put their talents to work on innovative experiments that could not be done anywhere else. Although each space station partner has distinct agency goals for station research, each partner shares a unified goal to extend the resulting knowledge for the betterment of humanity. We may not know yet what will be the most important discovery gained from the space station, but we already have some amazing breakthroughs! In the areas of human health, telemedicine, education and observations of Earth from space, there are already demonstrated benefits to human life. Vaccine development research, station-generated images that assist with disaster relief and farming, and education programs that inspire future scientists, engineers and space explorers are just some examples of research benefits. The stories featured here summarize the scientific, technological and educational accomplishments of research on the space station that has and will continue to have an impact on life on Earth.

    The benefits outlined here serve as examples of the space station's potential as a groundbreaking scientific research facility. Through advancing the state of scientific knowledge of our planet, looking after our health, and providing a space platform that inspires and educates the science and technology leaders of tomorrow, these benefits will drive the legacy of the space station as its research strengthens economies and enhances the quality of life here on Earth for all people.

Areas of Benefits

ISS Partners/Participants Websites

More About Space Station

Related ISS Research Resources