| The International Space Station (ISS) is the first space station built as an international cooperative project, involving 16 countries. The lead partners are the US and Russia, both of whom have manned launch capability. The ISS consists of several modules launched and docked at different times, as well as a set of radiators and solar panels, a robotic arm, and soon a broad truss that widens the span of the station in space and creates room for additional modules. Mark will visit the ISS as a member of the 3rd Soyuz rotation crew, whose job it is to ensure that there is a fresh 'lifeboat' attached to the station. Mark will fly the new lifeboat Soyuz to the ISS, and return in an old one that is nearing the end of its certified flight time in space. |
