13 Out-Of-This-World Facts About The ISS

The International Space Station is a habitable artificial satellite that orbits Earth at an altitude of about 400 kilometers. It has been inhabited continuously since November 2000 and is currently the largest artificial body in space. The ISS consists of modules that were launched by different spacecraft and are now permanently connected to form a complex structure. The station serves as a platform for research in areas such as human health, physics, astronomy, and meteorology. It is also used to test technology for future missions to Mars and other destinations beyond low Earth orbit. Astronauts from many countries have lived and worked on the ISS, conducting experiments and carrying out maintenance tasks. The station has also been visited by a number of tourist astronauts, who have paid large sums of money for the experience. In addition to its scientific role, the ISS has also been used as a location for film and television productions, including the reality show "An astronaut's guide to life on Earth."

When people overwhelmingly voted to name a new ISS name after Stephen Colbert, NASA said no, but gave him a pretty cool consolation prize. Here’s the full story, plus 12 others: