INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION (ISS)
1. Context
Recently, the International Space Station (ISS) celebrated its 25th anniversary. This orbital laboratory, a beacon of international cooperation, has served as a pivotal platform for scientific breakthroughs, fostering our understanding of space, microgravity, and the very essence of life itself.
2. About the International Space Station
- The International Space Station (ISS) is a habitable artificial satellite in low Earth orbit that serves as a microgravity research laboratory. It is the largest artificial object in space and the largest international space project in history, involving five participating space agencies: NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe), and CSA (Canada).
- The ISS was constructed in space over 13 years, with the first module, Zarya, launched on November 20, 1998. The last module, Poisk, was launched on December 10, 2016. The ISS has been continuously crewed since November 2000 and has hosted crews from 21 different countries.
- The ISS is used to conduct scientific research in a variety of fields, including astrobiology, astronomy, meteorology, physics, and materials science. It has also been used to develop new technologies, such as water recycling systems and solar panels.
- The ISS has six sleeping quarters, two bathrooms, a gym, and a 360-degree view bay window. It measures 109 meters (357 feet) end-to-end, and its solar array wingspan is also 109 meters. The ISS orbits Earth 16 times in one day, every 90 minutes to be precise, at a speed of 8 kilometres (5 miles) per second.
3. Astronaut Activities on the ISS
- Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) primarily engage in scientific experiments, focusing on research that cannot be conducted on Earth. These experiments cover various fields and contribute to scientific breakthroughs.
- Regular spacewalks are undertaken by ISS astronauts to install new components, such as robotic arms, and to perform maintenance tasks. This includes inspecting and repairing damage caused by space debris.
- Due to the effects of microgravity on the human body, astronauts adhere to a strict health regimen. This includes workouts on specially designed machines like treadmills for a minimum of two hours a day.
- As researchers focus on prolonged human habitation in space, ISS astronauts contribute to our understanding of the effects of microgravity. Daily exercise routines are not only for astronaut health but also aid scientific investigations into the potential long-term impacts on the human body.
4. Scientific Discoveries Benefiting Earth
- Astronauts conduct experiments on themselves, monitoring general health, nutrition, and the effects of solar radiation. Scientific breakthroughs from these studies have contributed to our understanding of diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, cancer, asthma, and heart disease.
- Discoveries on the ISS have directly benefited drug development on Earth. The unique conditions of microgravity allow researchers to study cell behaviour more closely resembling that inside the human body.
- Experiments on the ISS have led to advancements in water purification systems, crucial for sustaining life in space. These innovations have practical applications on Earth, improving water purification technologies.
- Research on the ISS has provided methods to mitigate muscle and bone atrophy caused by extended periods in microgravity. These findings have implications for developing countermeasures to address similar health challenges on Earth.
- Scientific experiments on the ISS have contributed to innovations in food production. These advancements are essential for developing sustainable and efficient food production systems for long-term space missions and have practical applications on Earth.
5. Future of the ISS
- Plans for the future of the ISS faced uncertainty with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, leading to disruptions in international collaborations. Russia's decision to leave the ISS and pursue its own space station further added complexity to the situation.
- New and established spacefaring nations, including Japan, China, India, and the United Arab Emirates, express interest in independent space exploration, marking a shift in the landscape of international collaboration.
- While the US and Europe have expressed commitment to the ISS until 2030, discussions about a post-ISS era are underway. NASA's Artemis program focuses on lunar exploration, while the European Space Agency (ESA) plans the development of a new space station named Starlab.
- The phrase "watch this space" takes on new significance as the ISS navigates geopolitical challenges and evolving ambitions in space exploration. Plans for lunar missions and new space stations signal a transformative era in human space exploration.
6. Conclusion
The ISS has beesn a major success in international cooperation. It has shown that countries from around the world can work together to achieve great things. The ISS has also been a valuable resource for scientific research and has helped us to learn more about space and our place in the universe. The ISS is a vital tool for scientific research, and we must continue to use it to learn more about space and our place in the universe.
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For Prelims: International Space Station, NASA, Roscosmos, JAXA, CSA, European Space Agency, ISRO, Zarya, Posik, artificial satellite, low Earth orbit, space debris
For Mains:
1. Discuss the role of the International Space Station (ISS) in advancing scientific research in microgravity and its contributions to technological innovations. Highlight specific experiments conducted on the ISS that have benefited various fields of science. (250 Words)
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Previous Year Questions
1. What is the purpose of the US Space Agency’s Themis Mission, which was recently in the news? (UPSC 2008)
A. To study the possibility of life on Mars
B. To study the satellites of Saturn
C. To study the colorful display of high-latitude skies
D. To build a space laboratory to study the stellar explosions
2. In the context of space technology, what is “Bhuvan”, recently in the news? (UPSC 2010)
A. A mini-satellite launched by ISRO for promoting distance education in India
B. The name was given to the next Moon Impact Probe, for Chandrayaan-II
C. A geoportal of ISRO with 3D imaging capabilities of India
D. A space telescope developed by India
3. Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched? (UPSC 2014)
Spacecraft Purpose
1. Cassini-Huygens: Orbiting Venus and transmitting data to theEarth
2. Messenger: Mapping and investigating the Mercury
3. Voyager 1 and 2: Exploring the outer solar system
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A. 1 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
4. Recently, scientists observed the merger of giant ‘blackholes’ billions of light-years away from the Earth. What is the significance of this observation? (UPSC 2019) (a) ‘Higgs boson particles’ were detected.
5. India’s first Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) laboratory will be set up in which State? (BPSC 2016) A.Uttar Pradesh B.Maharashtra C.Andhra Pradesh D.Bihar E.None of the above/More than one of the above 6. With reference to the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), consider the following statements: (UPSC 2018)
1. IRNSS has three satellites in geostationary and four satellites in geosynchronous orbits.
2. IRNSS covers entire India and about 5500 sq.km beyond its borders.
3. India will have its own satellite navigation system with full global coverage by the middle of 2019.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a)1 only b)1 and 2 only c)2 and 3 only d)None
7. Which of the following is the name of the NASA programme to land first woman and next man on the Moon by 2024? (SSC MTS 2021)
A. Orion
B. Apollo
C. Artemis
D. Nike
8. Consider the following statements: The Mangalyaan launched by ISRO (UPSC 2016)
1. is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission
2. made India the second country to have a spacecraft orbit the Mars after the USA
3. made India the only country to be successful in making its spacecraft orbit the Mars in its very first attempt
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only B. 2 and 3 only C. 1 and 3 only D. 1, 2 and 3
9. A low earth orbit satellite can provide large signal strength at an earth station because: (ESE Electronics 2011)
A. Path loss is low
B. These orbits are immune to noise
C. Large solar power can be generated at these orbits
D. Lower microwave frequencies in s-band can be used
10. Comprehension
Direction: Read the passage given below and answer the following questions.
Astroscale is a space sustainability company headquartered in Tokyo that is committed to creating solutions for removing potentially dangerous space junk. As space tourism missions to the ISS (International Space Station) become more prevalent, even more attention will have to be paid to orbital highways to ensure their maintenance and cleanliness. It’s more than a courtesy, it’s a matter of space safety. Even without private space tours, the prevalence of space junk and the risk of collisions have skyrocketed with the emergence of SpaceX, OneWeb, and other companies that send thousands of rockets into LEO. It is quickly becoming a safety issue—SpaceX’s huge Starlink project has made Earth’s orbit much more dangerous which is why Astroscale aerospace engineer Jonathan Rasmussen is calling for more accountability from prominent satellite companies around the life and death of satellites and intentional de-orbiting. De-orbiting refers to the discarding of defunct junk in space. “In order to mitigate space debris,” he says. “There should be some form of binding international policy where satellite operators and builders send out their satellites with a predetermined plan for the end of life, where they purposely de-orbit it with their last ounce of fuel versus letting the satellites just float around up there.” The company’s End-of-Life Services demonstration (ELSA-d) mission, launching in less than two months, seeks to exhibit the company’s ability to capably and safely find, dock with, and remove orbital debris. The ELSA-d space debris removal mission revolves around two pieces of machinery: a service vehicle (approximately 175 kg) and a smaller client vehicle (approximately 17 kg). The service vehicle is the deorbiter, which physically seeks out, latches onto, and retrieves target debris objects.
What is space debris? (IBPS Clerk Mains 2021)
A. It is a functional artificial material that is orbiting Earth.
B. It is an artificial material that is orbiting Earth but is no longer functional.
C. It is a natural material orbiting around the Earth. Astrocycle is sending debris to space.
D. It is referred to the collision of the satellites that happens in space.
Answers: 1-C, 2-C, 3-B, 4-B, 5-B, 6-A, 7-C, 8-C, 9-A, 10-B
Mains
1. What is India’s plan to have its own space station and how will it benefit our space programme? (UPSC 2019)
2. Discuss India’s achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology. How the application of this technology helped India in its socio-economic development? (UPSC 2016)
3. International civil aviation laws provide all countries complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above their territory. What do you understand by ‘airspace’? What are the implications of these laws on the space above this airspace? Discuss the challenges which this poses and suggest ways to contain the threat. (UPSC 2014)
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Source: The Indian Express
