Human Quest: The International Space Station and Mars Exploration

The next chapter in the history of space exploration will be written 250 miles above the Earth at a construction site orbiting the planet at over 17,500 mph. The International Space Station, which unifies the resources and scientific expertise of 16 nations, is the most ambitious scientific and technical project in history. The International Space Station was officially launched on January 29, 1998. It is seen as a crucial step in allowing research to move beyond low-Earth orbit and onto other planets. The Space Station is seen as the launching pad for potential manned trips to Mars. The Space Station will be used to examine the effects of long-term space travel on humans.