Description
The International Space Station (ISS) model kit is a LIMITED EDITION of the space station, or a habitable artificial satellite, in low Earth orbit. It is a modular structure whose first component was launched in 1998. Now the largest artificial body in orbit, it can often be seen with the naked eye from Earth. The ISS consists of pressurized modules, external trusses, solar arrays and other components. ISS components have been launched by American Space Shuttles as well as Russian Proton and Soyuz rockets. The ISS serves as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory in which crew members conduct experiments in biology, human biology, physics, astronomy, meteorology and other fields.
The station is suited for the testing of spacecraft systems and equipment required for missions to the Moon and Mars. The ISS maintains an orbit with altitude of between 330 and 435 km (205 and 270 mi) by means of re-boost maneuvers using the engines of the Zvezda module or visiting spacecraft. It completes 15.54 orbits per day. ISS is the ninth space station to be inhabited by crews, following the Soviet and later Russian Salyut and Mir stations as well as Skylab from the US. The station has been continuously occupied for 14 years and 152 days since the arrival of Expedition 1 on 2 November 2000. This is the longest continuous human presence in space, having surpassed the previous record of 9 years and 357 days held by Mir. The station is serviced by a variety of visiting spacecraft: Soyuz, Progress, the Automated Transfer Vehicle, the H-II Transfer Vehicle, Dragon, and Cygnus. It has been visited by astronauts and cosmonauts from 15 different nations.
- Level 5 183 parts kit; Aluminum square and round bars to support the structure are included; Display stand with earth hemisphere
- Movable large solar panels, Detailed presentation of modules, Experiment platforms,1 Sojuz transport model and Solar panels w/finely detailed features
- Paint, Tools or Glue are not included in the kit
