Twenty-five years ago, in November 1998, the International Space Station (or ISS) was launched into space from a rocket in Central Asia. Over the next 10 years, extra sections were attached to it, making it the largest space station ever built.
Where is it?
Two hundred and fifty miles above us — but it doesn’t stay still! The ISS is always on the move, circling the planet. It takes just 90 minutes for it to travel all the way around the world. That means it makes about 16 circuits of the Earth every day!
Why is it there?
It gathers important information on space, which is very useful for scientists. The ISS also helps us to understand what might be needed if humans ever live in space.
Who’s on board?
At any one time, there are six fully trained astronauts on board the ISS. These men and women come from different countries and have to live in a very special way. There’s much less gravity on the ISS than there is on Earth, which means they can float from room to room! They have to sleep in sleeping bags attached to the walls. Each person usually spends six months there before coming back home. British astronaut Tim Peake was on the ISS from late 2015 to early 2016.
What do they eat and drink?
Astronauts on the ISS have three meals a day, just like us. All their food is brought up from Earth, so they eat things like fruit, nuts, chicken and peanut butter. They have to drink through special mugs with straws, to stop the liquid floating away.
Is the ISS visible from Earth?
Yes! You can sometimes see it as a bright spot moving through the night sky. If you go to this website, you can check where it is right now! Isstracker.spaceflight.esa.int
YHA have six brilliant start gazing sites. We now offer an exceptional experience for families, individuals and school groups where there is availability to hire a Dark Skies box. Why not make it a space-themed adventure and see what you can spot in our dark skies?
Where to stay: YHA Hartington Hall, YHA The Sill at Hadrian’s Wall, YHA Whitby, YHA South Downs, YHA Grinton Lodge or YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass.
Photo credit: Adobe stock – Cherrie Photography
Read next: Unusual wild cats
