Space Station | The Station

what are the different components of the space station?

When fully constructed the Space Station will consist of approximately 70 separate major components and hundreds of minor ones that are due to be launched into space by the year 2004. Some of the major components are listed:
	detail of components and contributing countries - (detail courtesy of NASA)

Canadian Mobile Servicing System - includes a 55-foot robot arm with 125-ton payload capability, as well as a mobile transporter, which can be positioned along the truss for robotic assembly and maintenance operations.

Zarya, also called Functional Cargo Block (FGB - acronym from the Russian term) - includes the energy block, contingency fuel storage, propulsion and multiple docking points. Built in Russia, but purchased by the United States, the element weighs approximately 42,600 pounds.

Russian Service Module - provides life support and utilities, thrusters and habitation functions (toilet and hygiene facilities). The element weighs approximately 42,000 pounds.

Science Power Platform (SPP) - will provide power (approximately 25 kilowatts) and heat rejection for the Space Station's science and operations.

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Crew Return Vehicles (CRVs) - includes two modified Russian Soyuz TM capsules or a Soyuz and another vehicle, yet to be determined, which would accommodate seven people. The Soyuz can normally accommodate a crew of three, or a crew of two when considering the return of an ill or injured crewmember with room for medical equipment. NASA is currently testing a CRV prototype called the X-38.

Progress Cargo Vehicles - carry reboost propellant (up to 6,600 pounds) to the Space Station about four times per year.

Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) - is a transfer vehicle to carry reboost propellant and supplies to the Space Station. The European-developed ATV will be launched by Europe's Ariane-5.

Six Laboratories -

Two U.S. - a laboratory and a Centrifuge Accommodation Module (CAM)
One European Space Agency (ESA) Columbus Orbital Facility (COF)
One Japanese Experiment Module (JEM)
Two Russian Research Modules

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U.S., European and Japanese Laboratories - together provide 33 International Standard Payload Racks with additional science space available in the two Russian Research Modules.

Japan's JEM - has an exposed platform, or "back porch," attached to it, with 10 mounting spaces for experiments, which provide direct contact with the space environment. The JEM also has a small robotic arm for payload operations on the exposed platform.

U.S. Habitation Module - contains the galley, toilet, shower, sleep stations and medical facilities.

Three Italian Multi-Purpose Laboratory Modules (MPLMs) - carries all the pressurized cargo and payloads launched on the Space Shuttle. Each module is capable of delivering 16 International Standard Payload Racks.

Three U.S. Nodes - Unity Node is for storage space only; Node 2 contains racks of equipment used to convert electrical power for use by the international partners. Node 3 will house life support equipment. The nodes are also the structural building blocks that link the pressurized modules together.

External Sites - four locations on the truss for mounting experiments intended for looking down at Earth and up into space or for direct exposure to space.

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*Click on images for captions
Photo credits for all images: NASA.
Additional materials in this section courtesy of NASA and Boeing.