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International Space Station

The International Space Station is a $100 billion research outpost in low-Earth orbit. It was built by 15 different countries and overseen by 5 space agencies, among them NASA, Russia's Roscosmos agency, the European Space Agency, the Canadian Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Construction began in 1998 and rotating astronaut crews have lived on the ISS continuously since 2000. Today, the ISS is the largest human-built structure in space. See the latest news, photos and videos from ISS missions here.

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Roscosmos cosmonauts Andrei Babkin (left) and Nikolai Tikhonov, seen here during a Soyuz fit check in 2018, have been removed from the Soyuz MS-16 mission to the International Space Station after Tikhonov was reportedly injured during training.

Russia replaces two cosmonauts on next space station crew, citing medical reasons

By Robert Z. Pearlman

Nikolai Tikhonov and Andrei Babkin will no longer fly in April.

The last quarter moon looms behind the International Space Station's Canadarm2 robotic arm in this photo by NASA astronaut Jessica Meir. She and her Expedition 62 crewmate Andrew Morgan used Canadarm2 to grapple an arriving Cygnus cargo spacecraft on Tuesday (Feb. 18). "The mighty @csa_asc #Canadarm2 ready to grapple, as @AstroDrewMorgan & I practiced our maneuvers to capture #Cygnus that is headed our way, loaded with nearly 7,500 pounds of science, cargo, and @Space_Station supplies," Meir tweeted on Saturday (Feb. 15). "Even the Moon made an appearance, awaiting #ARTEMIS eagerly," she added, referring to NASA's Artemis program, which aims to land astronauts on the moon in 2024.

Pictures from space! Our image of the day

By Space.com Staff

The last quarter moon looms behind the International Space Station's Canadarm2 robotic arm in this photo by NASA astronaut Jessica Meir.

An uncrewed Northrop Grumman Cygnus NG-13 cargo ship is captured by a robotic arm at the International Space Station to deliver more than 7,500 lbs. (3,400 kilograms) of supplies to the orbiting laboratory on Feb. 18, 2020.

Cygnus cargo ship delivers cheese, candy and science gear to space station astronauts

By Tariq Malik

A Northrop Grumman Cygnus cargo ship arrived at the International Space Station

A Northrop Grumman Antares rocket launches the uncrewed Cygnus NG-13 cargo ship to the International Space Station from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on Feb. 15, 2020.

In photos: See the Antares rocket's Cygnus NG-13 cargo ship launch to space station

By Space.com Staff

See photos of Northrop Grumman's amazing Antares rocket launch that sent the Cygnus NG-13 spacecraft to the International Space station on Feb. 15, 2020.

NASA will again accept applications for new astronauts beginning March 2 through March 31, 2020. The new recruits, members of NASA's 23rd class of astronaut candidates, will train for expeditions to the space station and Artemis flights to the moon.

The top space stories of the week!

By Doris Elin Urrutia

These are the top space stories this week from Space.com.

A Northrop Grumman Antares rocket launches the uncrewed Cygnus NG-13 cargo ship to the International Space Station from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on Feb. 15, 2020.

Northrop Grumman launches Cygnus cargo ship to space station for NASA

By Tariq Malik

A Northrop Grumman Antares rocket launched a commercial Cygnus cargo ship to the International Space Station for NASA after a week of delays.

NASA astronaut Christina Koch reunites with her pup LBD after returning to Earth after 328 days in space.

Puppy love! Astronaut's reunion with her dog after a nearly yearlong flight made us cry

By Chelsea Gohd

Koch was welcomed home to Earth by her sweet dog LBD.

The Northrop Grumman Antares rocket carrying the Cygnus NG-13 cargo ship stands atop Pad-0A of NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Virginia on Feb. 14, 2020.

Valentine's Day Cygnus cargo ship launch to space station delayed by high winds

By Tariq Malik

Northrop Grumman's Valentine's Day cargo launch to the International Space Station has been delayed by at least 24 hours due to high winds, NASA says.

The Northrop Grumman Antares rocket carrying the Cygnus NG-13 spacecraft is lowered into horizontal position at its Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport launch site at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Virginia on Feb. 12, 2020. Antares is scheduled to launch Cygnus on a NASA cargo mission on Feb. 14.

Northrop Grumman to launch Valentine's Day cargo ship to space station today. How to watch live.

By Tariq Malik

Liftoff is at 3:43 p.m. EST (2043 GMT).

NASA astronaut Christina Koch, home from a record-setting 328-day mission on the International Space Station, answered reporters' questions about her milestone flight at a press conference at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston on Feb. 12, 2020.

Home from space, Christina Koch reflects on move from orbit to Earth

By Robert Z. Pearlman

Six days after returning from her record-setting first space mission, Christina Koch said that it took longer to adjust to life in orbit than it did to transition to being back on Earth.

The full moon appears to hover over Pad-0A of NASA's Wallops Flight Facility at dawn on Feb. 9, 2020 where a Northrop Grumman Antares rocket and Cygnus cargo ship stood ready for a launch attempt to the International Space Station.

Northrop Grumman aborts Cygnus cargo launch to space station

By Meghan Bartels, Tariq Malik

The launch was delayed due to off-nominal data from ground-support equipment.

The Antares rocket and Cygnus capsule headed to the International Space Station on Feb. 9, 2020, was raised to vertical position on a launchpad at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

Space double-header tonight! You can watch a Cygnus cargo ship and Solar Orbiter launch live online

By Tariq Malik

There's a space double feature in store for rocket fans today, with two launches to some very different places off Earth. Here's how to watch them online.

This NASA map shows the potential range of visibility for Northrop Grumman's launch of an Antares rocket carrying the Cygnus NG-13 cargo ship for NASA from the Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Virginia on Feb. 9, 2020.

Sunset rocket launch in Virginia tonight may be visible along the US East Coast

By Tariq Malik

Northrop Grumman is counting down to a sunset rocket launch tonight (Feb. 9) and it just might be visible to observers along a wide swath of the U.S. East Coast, weather permitting.

A Northrop Grumman Antares rocket carrying the Cygnus NG-13 spacecraft sits atop Pad 0A of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Virginia on Feb. 5, 2020.

Northrop Grumman 'go' to launch its 13th Cygnus cargo ship for NASA Sunday

By Tariq Malik

No superstitions here, the company says.

The Antares rocket and Cygnus capsule headed to the International Space Station on Feb. 9, 2020, was raised to vertical position on a launchpad at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

Bacteria, bone and more: Here's the science launching to the space station Sunday

By Amy Thompson

NASA is launching a bevy of crew supplies and scientific cargo to the International Space Station Sunday (Feb. 9) from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

NASA astronaut Christina Koch exits the Soyuz capsule on Feb. 6, 2020, after returning to Earth from her record-breaking spaceflight.

In photos: NASA astronaut Christina Koch returns to Earth after record-breaking spaceflight

By Meghan Bartels

NASA astronaut Christina Koch wrapped up her first stay on the International Space Station today (Feb. 6).

NASA astronaut Christina Koch, newly back on Earth after a record 328 days in space, gives a "thumbs up" upon exiting the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft on the Kazakh steppe on Feb. 6, 2020.

Astronaut Christina Koch lands on Earth after record-setting space station mission

By Robert Z. Pearlman

The Soyuz MS-13 crew spacecraft is seen approaching the International Space Station on July 20, 2019. It will return to Earth on Feb. 6, 2020.

Three astronauts will return to Earth Thursday. You can watch their landing live.

By Hanneke Weitering

Three Expedition 61 crewmembers will leave the International Space Station and return to Earth Thursday (Feb. 6), and you can watch their journey home live online.

NASA astonaut christina koch international space station

The big science of NASA astronaut Christina Koch's near-year in space in photos

By Samantha Mathewson

Record-breaking NASA astronaut Christina Koch will return to Earth Thursday (Feb. 6) after spending 328 days in space, during which she completed numerous science experiments.

NASA astronaut Christina Koch waves to the cameras as she floats away following a series of media interviews.

Record-breaking astronaut Christina Koch talks space records and more

By Chelsea Gohd

NASA astronaut Christina Koch chatted today (Feb. 4) with the media about her record-breaking time in space.