Shuttle-Mir History/SM Background/International Space Station

History

Shuttle-Mir Background - International Space Station

The Shuttle-Mir Program was Phase 1 of the International Space Station (ISS) Program, in which the U.S. and Russia is joined by many European nations, plus Japan, Canada, and Brazil.

The first construction flights of ISS began in 1998. Construction will require 45 space flights on three different types of launch vehicles over a five-year period.

NASA has identified these mission goals for ISS:

To create a permanent orbiting science institute in space capable of performing long-duration research in the materials and life sciences areas in a nearly gravity-free environment.
To conduct medical research in space.
To develop new materials and processes in collaboration with industry.
To accelerate breakthroughs in technology and engineering that will have immediate, practical applications for life on Earth-and will create jobs and economic opportunities today and in the decades to come.
To maintain U.S. leadership in space and in global competitive-ness, and to serve as a driving force for emerging technologies.
To forge new partnerships with the nations of the world.
To inspire our children, foster the next generation of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs.
To satisfy humanity's ancient need to explore and achieve.
To sustain and strengthen the United States' strongest export sector-aerospace technology-which in 1995 exceeded $33 billion.

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