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The international space station (ISS) is a habitable artificial satellite, in low Earth orbit. It is a multinational collaborative project involving NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe), and CSA (Canada). The construction and operation of the ISS involve a large number of international participants like space agencies, national governments, and private commercial enterprises.

The primary purpose of the ISS is to conduct scientific research in microgravity. It provides a unique platform for the study of physics, biology, astronomy, and materials science. The station also serves as a living, working, and recreational space environment for astronauts and cosmonauts. Technology development testing, education, and international cooperation on space-related projects are also important aspects of the ISS program.

The ISS has been continuously inhabited since November 2000. It orbits the Earth at an average altitude of approximately 420 kilometers and travels at a speed of 28,000 kilometers per hour, completing an orbit around the Earth approximately every 90 minutes. The station experiences 16 sunrises and sunsets each day, and its crew members experience microgravity.

The ISS consists of pressurized modules for crew living and working, unpressurized truss segments for structural support, solar arrays for power, and a variety of science experiments and other hardware. The station also serves as a dock for spacecraft, allowing crew transfers and the delivery of equipment and supplies.

Operational costs for the ISS are primarily covered by NASA, with contributions from the other partner space agencies. The station has an expected operational life through 2024, but discussions are ongoing regarding extending its service life.

As one of the most ambitious and successful international scientific collaborations in history, the ISS has made significant contributions to our understanding of the effects of long-duration spaceflight on the human body, the development of new materials and technologies, and the study of Earth and space sciences. Its unique position as a symbol of international cooperation in space exploration has also inspired future generations of scientists, engineers, and explorers. The ISS continues to serve as a gateway to the future of human space exploration, as well as a laboratory for the advancement of knowledge and technology.

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