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.

Related Topics: Falcon Heavy, Incredible Space Tech, NASA, SpaceX, Interstellar Travel

Latest Updates

SpaceX destacks its Starship after a successful wet dress rehearsal test ahead of further testing on the separate steges.

Pictures from space! Our image of the day

By Space.com Staff published

SpaceX has destacked its Starship megarocket after an important pre-launch test in order to perform further separate testing on the vehicle's two stages at its Starbase facility in South Texas.

SpaceX's Crew Dragon Freedom spacecraft docked at the International Space Station with black space behind.

SpaceX Crew Dragon may get a shield upgrade after Soyuz spacecraft leak

By Elizabeth Howell published

A micrometeoroid strike on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft in December 2022 has spurred NASA to talk to SpaceX about possibly increasing the shielding on its Crew Dragon capsule.

The Russian-built Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft is seen in the foreground docked to the Rassvet module of the International Space Station in this image taken in October. 2022. Russia's Nauka laboratory module of the station is seen in the background, with its European Robotic Arm folded up.

NASA astronaut and 2 cosmonauts may stay on space station for a full year after Soyuz leak

By Mike Wall published

Frank Rubio and two cosmonaut colleagues may not come home from the International Space Station until late September — six months later than initially planned.

A SpaceX Dragon Endurance capsule in the black of space with a blue Earth below after launch on Oct. 5, 2022.

SpaceX astronaut missions for NASA: Crew-5 updates

By Elizabeth Howell published

Read the latest news about SpaceX's Crew-5 mission to the International Space Station for NASA.

Cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky shared this photo of the International Space Station on Twitter on Sept. 29, 2021. He and two colleagues were relocating a Russian Soyuz spacecraft from one port to another at the time.

International Space Station: Live updates

By Elizabeth Howell published

Find out what's going on at the International Space Station.

Astronauts Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (at left) and Nicole Mann of NASA are seen near the new roll-out solar array mount they partially assembled during a spacewalk outside of the International Space Station on Friday, Jan. 20, 2023.

Spacewalking astronauts hit snags installing new solar array mount outside space station

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

Koichi Wakata and Nicole Mann wrapped up their spacewalk without completing assembly of a new roll-out solar array mounting platform as planned.

The four crewmembers of SpaceX's Crew-6 mission to the International Space Station pose for a photo in their spacesuits during a training session at the company’s headquarters in Hawthorne, California. From left are, Mission Specialist Andrey Fedyaev, Pilot Warren “Woody” Hoburg, Commander Stephen Bowen, and Mission Specialist Sultan Al Neyadi.mission pose for a photo in their spacesuits during a training session at the company’s headquarters in Hawthorne, California. From left: mission specialist Andrey Fedyaev, pilot Warren "Woody" Hoburg, commander Stephen Bowen, and mission specialist Sultan Al Neyadi.

SpaceX and NASA targeting Feb. 26 for Crew-6 astronaut launch

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX's sixth contracted astronaut flight to the International Space Station for NASA will launch on Feb. 26, if all goes according to plan.

NASA astronaut Josh Cassada during a spacewalk.

Watch 2 astronauts perform 1st spacewalk of 2023 at space station today

By Mike Wall published

Two astronauts will conduct the first spacewalk of 2023 on Friday morning (Jan. 20), and you can watch the action live.

A high-definition camera on the International Space Station's exterior captured this photo of the plume created by a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket as it launched the USSF-67 mission for the U.S. Space Force on Jan. 15, 2023.

SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch spotted from space station (photo)

By Mike Wall published

A high-definition exterior camera on the International Space Station snapped a shot of the plume created by SpaceX's Falcon Heavy during its Jan. 15 launch.

The Crew-5 SpaceX Dragon Endurance approaches the International Space Station for docking on Oct. 6, 2022.

SpaceX Dragon capsule to be 5-person 'lifeboat' in event of ISS emergency

By Mike Wall published

On Wednesday (Jan. 18), NASA plans to start moving astronaut Frank Rubio's seat liner from a Russian Soyuz spacecraft over to SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule Endurance.

SpaceX's robotic Dragon cargo capsule leaves the International Space Station on Jan. 9, 2023. The spacecraft splashed down off the coast of Florida two days later.

SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule returns to Earth after 6-week stay at space station

By Mike Wall published

A robotic SpaceX capsule splashed down off the coast of Florida on Wednesday morning (Jan. 11), wrapping up its six-week cargo mission.

A camera on the International Space Station shows an apparent coolant leak on a Soyuz MS-22 crewed spacecraft docked at the station that forced Russian Mission Control to cancel a spacewalk by two cosmonauts on Dec. 14, 2022. The coolant leak appears as frozen white mist around the spacecraft.

Russia to launch new Soyuz capsule to replace leaky spacecraft on space station

By Tariq Malik last updated

Russia will launch an empty Soyuz capsule to the International Space Station February to replace a damaged spacecraft that is unsafe to return its crew.

The four crew members who comprise the SpaceX Crew-6 mission pose for a photo in their spacesuits during a training session at the company’s headquarters in Hawthorne, California. From left are, Mission Specialist Andrey Fedyaev, Pilot Warren “Woody” Hoburg, Commander Stephen Bowen, and Mission Specialist Sultan Al Neyadi.

SpaceX and NASA target Crew-6 astronaut launch in mid-February

By Josh Dinner published

NASA and SpaceX are targeting mid-February for the launch of the next commercial crew mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

A robotic SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule leaves the International Space Station on Jan. 9, 2023.

SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule heads home from space station

By Mike Wall published

A robotic SpaceX cargo craft departed the International Space Station on Monday afternoon (Jan. 9), wrapping up a six-week orbital stay.

Boeing's CST-100 Starliner Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission patch includes elements personal to both crew members, NASA astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams.

Crew set to fly on Boeing Starliner add final touches to mission patch

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

Boeing has finalized the design of its first crew mission patch. The aerospace company is preparing for the Crew Flight Test of its CST-100 Starliner commercial spacecraft.

uncrewed SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft is the first Commercial Crew vehicle to visit the International Space Station. Here it is pictured with its nose cone open revealing its docking mechanism while approaching the station's Harmony module.

NASA asks SpaceX about International Space Station rescue options

By Brett Tingley published

NASA has inquired about using a SpaceX Dragon capsule to bring astronauts home from the International Space Station (ISS) following a recent leak aboard a Russian Soyuz capsule.

four astronauts in front of space station windows wearing santa hats or holiday clothing

On International Space Station, astronauts ring in New Year 2023 ahead of 2nd Christmas

By Elizabeth Howell published

The Expedition 68 crew rang in 2023 with holiday cheer, including Santa hats, stockings and ornaments in the United States and Russian segments.

A multicolored methane plume signal superimposed over Tehran, Iran.

NASA sensors could help detect landfill methane from space to help limit climate change

By Robert Lea published

Data from the NASA mission EMIT will help the new initiative Carbon Mapper track the greenhouse gas methane from waste sites.

An interior view of the Destiny U.S. Laboratory at night under ambient light with the main lights turned off.

See the best photos from the International Space Station of 2022 in this NASA video

By Robert Lea published

NASA has released a stunning series of images that celebrate 2022 aboard the International Space Station.

Crew Dragon with its docking mechanism open, with the Earth in behind

NASA ponders SpaceX astronaut rescue as backup after Soyuz leak: report

By Elizabeth Howell published

Three crew members that may be stuck on the International Space Station could have the chance to return home on a SpaceX Dragon, if the option is required, a report suggests.