SPACE STATION FACTS
The home of interesting space station facts for kids and adults.
Interesting facts about space stations
What is a space station?
When people think of space stations, they usually only think of 1 – the International Space Station, or ISS. The truth is, however, that since 1971 there have been 12 space stations put into low Earth orbit.
Space stations are artificial structures that have been placed in orbit with the necessary systems and equipment to support human habitation for extended periods.
Read on for 10 other interesting facts about space stations that you may not have known.
1. The first space station was put into orbit by the USSR.
Salyut 1 was the very first space station, placed into orbit by the USSR in 1971. The name Salyut (Russian for ‘salute’) was chosen to honour the first person in space – Yuri Gagarin.
Did you know?
Yuri Gagarin was the first person in space and completed the first full orbit of Earth. This was aboard Vostok 1 in 1961.
2. Some space stations are launched whole
Smaller space stations are launched into space already assembled, but the larger ones have to be placed in orbit in modules and then assembled.
Did you know?
Making the most of the rocket's capacity means sending any space stations up without crew. The crew required for the station are sent up afterwards in separate space vehicles.
3. Skylab launched in 1973.
Skylab was the first space station created and launched into orbit by the US. This occurred on May 14th, 1973. Three crews have visited the space station over it's lifetime, conducting experiments into how the human body adapts to space and also to study the Sun.
Did you know?
An increase in solar activity degraded the orbit of Skylab much quicker than was anticipated. July 11th, 1979 saw the station enter Earth’s atmosphere where it broke up.
4. There is just one space station in operation.
The ISS is currently the only operational space station, after the de-orbiting of the Chinese prototype station, Tiangong-1. Construction of the ISS involved a total of 16 countries and continues to grow.
Did you know?
The ISS has been continuously inhabited since November 2nd, 2000.
5. The Tiangong-1 is just the start for China.
China is currently building their new space station and has already sent 3 taikonauts (astronauts) to the station in 2021 to begin its occupation. Since the station is still under construction, it is not yet considered ‘occupied’ but ‘manned’. The new station is called Tianhe (which translates as ‘river in the heavens’).
Did you know?
China has said it is open to foreign involvement on its station, to carry out experiments – a contrast to their banned involvement on the ISS.
6. A Russian cosmonaut completed the first space-walk.
When an astronaut leaves a space station, at any point, and moves about in space, this is called a space-walk. The very first space-walk was conducted by cosmonaut Alexei Leonov on March 18th, 1965.
Did you know?
The world record for the most spacewalks is also held by a Russian. Anatoly Solovyey conducted 16 spacewalks, equalling over 82 hours (typical spacewalks last between 5 and 8 hours).
7. Can you trampoline astronauts to the ISS?
Well no, of course not. But it was suggested that Dmitry Rogozin, former Russian Deputy Prime Minister, that this is what NASA should do after they cut ties with Roscosmos (Russia's NASA equivalent).
Did you know?
NASA does not send astronauts to space anymore and so depends on Russia to get its crew to the ISS. Despite NASA officially cutting ties with Roscosmos, Russia still helps with launches and astronaut retrieval.
8. There are guns on the ISS.
Another little known fact is that there are usually 1 or 2 weapons on the station. They are in a survival kit and belong to the Russian cosmonauts, but can be used by anyone. Each weapon has 3 barrels that can fire shotgun rounds, rifle rounds or flares.
Did you know?
These guns also have parts that fold out and can be used as machetes or shovels.
9. Why are there guns on the ISS?
Nobody knows why these weapons are there, but it is known that returning cosmonauts used to be attacked by bears. That may be why they introduced weapons to the space station.
Did you know?
Among everyday items on the International Space Station is the famous Swiss Army Knife. These knives have been a staple for NASA missions since the 70s.
10. The planned decommission of the ISS is looming.
The planned service life of the ISS runs until 2025, however, several nations have expressed a wish to keep it until 2030. However, a decision needs to be made sooner rather than later due to the time it will take to de-orbit the station.
Did you know?
A planned and controlled de-orbiting will see the International Space Station hit the Pacific Ocean, away from land and potentially inhabited areas.