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

a transparent human with highlighted red spinal column.

Astronauts on ISS can face muscle loss in microgravity — a new ESA experiment may help

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

The European Space Agency (ESA) is exploring the idea of treating muscle loss in astronauts with brief electrical impulses.

Infrared view of SpaceX's Crew Dragon "Endeavour" as it splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida on Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. The capsule returned from the International Space Station with Crew-6 — Steve Bowen, Woody Hoburg, Sultan AlNeyadi and Andrey Fedyaev — after 186 days. (NASA TV)

SpaceX's Crew-6 astronauts splash down after 6-month stay on ISS

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

The SpaceX Crew-6 astronauts Stephen Bowen, Woody Hoburg, Sultan AlNeyadi and Andrey Fedyaev are back on Earth, having each completed their first long-duration spaceflight on the ISS.

four astronauts floating in a space station module in spacesuits. they are visible face-up and each one of them is poised 90 degrees from each other, forming a circle

SpaceX Dragon with Crew-6 astronauts undocks from space station. Here's how to watch its landing live tonight.

By Mike Wall last updated

A SpaceX Dragon capsule carrying four Crew-6 astronauts is headed back to Earth and you can watch its splashdown live online early Monday (Sept. 4).

SpaceX Crew-6 astronauts wave in their Crew Dragon Endeavour seats.

SpaceX Crew-7 and Crew-6 astronaut missions: Live updates

By Elizabeth Howell last updated

Read the latest news about SpaceX's Crew-6 and Crew-7 missions to the International Space Station for NASA.

four astronauts in white and gray spacesuits floating in four different directions with their heads pointed to center

SpaceX, NASA delay Crew-6 Dragon astronauts' return to Earth due to bad weather

By Tariq Malik published

SpaceX and NASA say the Crew Dragon capsule carrying four Crew-6 astronauts will now depart the International Space Station no earlier than Sept. 3, a 24-hour delay.

The SpaceX Crew-6 astronauts on the International Space Station. Clockwise from bottom are NASA astronaut Stephen Bowen; UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi; NASA astronaut Woody Hoburg; and Russian space agency (Roscosmos) cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev.

SpaceX Crew-6 astronauts say goodbye from ISS and prepare for return to Earth

By Elizabeth Howell published

SpaceX's Crew-6 astronauts bade farewell from orbit in a livestreamed event on Aug. 31. They will undock from the ISS no sooner than Sept. 2, pending the effects of Hurricane Idalia.

Black astronauts celebrate ISS, Artemis 2 moon missions while reflecting on history

By Elizabeth Howell published

Two Black astronauts spoke to Space.com about their experiences in space and what's coming next.

Hurricane Idalia slams into Florida as astronauts and satellites track it from space (video, photos)

By Elizabeth Howell published

Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida on Wednesday (Aug. 30) in view of both satellites and astronauts in space.

an astronaut gives a thumbs up to the camera in space. the right hand is very close to the camera and a ring is visible on the index finger. behind, the astronaut smiles widely while wearing a shirt that says "axiom space." the background shows a module with flags and various wires and pieces of equipment

Private Ax-2 astronaut releasing free educational videos filmed in space today

By Elizabeth Howell last updated

The Ax-2 astronaut got guidance from commander Peggy Whitson, previously a record-breaking astronaut with NASA.

Eleven astronauts in different color uniforms gather on a space station, two float upside down.

SpaceX Crew-7 Dragon capsule docks at space station with international astronaut team (video)

By Tariq Malik last updated

A SpaceX Dragon capsule docked at the International Space Station Sunday (Aug. 27) with a new astronaut crew to begin a half-year mission.

"Sasha" the sloth, the SpaceX Crew-7 astronauts' zero-g indicator, is seen floating aboard the Dragon spacecraft "Endurance" after it entered Earth orbit on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.

'Sasha' the sloth breaks speed records as SpaceX Crew-7 zero-g indicator (photos)

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

A new record may have just been set for the fastest-moving sloth in the world. And not just any sloth: a three-toed sloth named "Sasha" that served as the "zero-g indicator" for SpaceX's Crew-7.

A white and black rocket lights up the night sky and is reflected off a marshland as its exhaust plume billows

SpaceX launches truly international astronaut team on Crew-7 flight to space station for NASA (video)

By Josh Dinner last updated

SpaceX launched a diverse international crew of astronauts toward the ISS on the Crew-7 mission for NASA early this morning (Aug. 26).

A white and black space capsule with fins as the sun rises behind it

SpaceX to launch Crew-7 astronauts to ISS for NASA before dawn on Aug. 26. Here's how to watch online for free.

By Elizabeth Howell last updated

NASA's Jasmin Moghbeli will be the second Iranian-American in space, and joins three international astronauts on the SpaceX Crew-7 mission launching from Florida on Aug. 26.

four astronauts standing in a row in white spacesuits and smiling. a line drawing of a rocket is partially visible behind them

What time will SpaceX launch the Crew-7 astronauts for NASA on Aug. 26?

By Elizabeth Howell last updated

SpaceX's Crew-7 mission plans to launch four astronauts to the International Space Station on Aug. 26, and you can watch the broadcast live for free.

A white spacex crew dragon rests atop a falcon 9 rocket. the top is visible through blurry leaves in the foreground. the launch tower's crew access arm reaches to the far side of the spacecraft.

SpaceX, NASA delay launch of Crew-7 astronauts to International Space Station

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX and NASA have scrubbed the planned Aug. 25 launch of the Crew-7 astronaut mission to the ISS. Liftoff is now targeted for Aug. 26 at 3:27 a.m. EDT (0727 GMT).

four astronauts floating in a space station module in spacesuits. they are visible face-up and each one of them is poised 90 degrees from each other, forming a circle

SpaceX's Crew-6 astronauts readying to wrap up their record-breaking flight

By Elizabeth Howell published

SpaceX's Crew-6 astronauts spoke with journalists Aug. 23 ahead of their coming return to Earth and also discussed the expected Aug. 25 launch of the Crew-7 mission.

A spacecraft approaches with earth and the blackness of space in the background.

Russian cargo spacecraft arrives at ISS with nearly 3 tons of supplies

By Mike Wall published

A robotic Russian Progress cargo spacecraft arrived at the International Space Station on Thursday night (Aug. 24), delivering nearly 3 tons of supplies to the outpost.

a large space station in the shape of an H floats in front of a blue and white planet

ISS fires thrusters to avoid oncoming space junk

By Elizabeth Howell published

The International Space Station fired its engines for 21 seconds to move out of the way of space debris on Aug. 24, NASA officials said.

the gray surface of the moon can be seen beside the leg of a lunar lander

India's historic Chandrayaan-3 moon landing celebrated by ISS astronauts

By Elizabeth Howell published

News of India's historic moon landing today (Aug. 23) reached the astronauts on board the International Space Station, many of whose partner nations are also shooting for the moon.

anne mcclain floats in a space station in front of two big windows facing earth. in her hands is a tangle of bags, sampling cubes and wires for a science experiment

Good news for astronauts: Fatty tissue helps replenish bone and red blood cells in space

By Elizabeth Howell published

More than a dozen International Space Station astronauts tracked their bone marrow levels. A new study shows how the body tries to fight back against floating for months on end.