 with the distinction of becoming its first commander beginning almost two decades of continuous human presence in low-earth orbit.){kind=link}
On October 31, 2000, veteran NASA astronaut William Shepherd left earth on a journey to the international space station (ISS) with the distinction of becoming its first commander beginning almost two decades of continuous human presence in low-earth orbit. The International Space Station was a cramped, humid, puny three rooms when the first crew moved in. Now after two decades later when NASA is celebrating 20 years of continuous human presence on the international space station with 241 visitors later, the complex has a lookout tower, three toilets, six sleeping compartments and 12 rooms. November 2 marks two decades of a steady stream of people living there. Astronauts from 19 countries have floated through the space station hatches, including many repeat visitors who arrived on shuttles for short-term construction work, and several tourists who paid their own way.
Soyuz booster to send humans to International Space StationThe Soyuz booster is transported to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakstan. Two days… Read MoreThe Soyuz booster is transported to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakstan. Two days later, U.S. astronaut Bill Shepherd, and Russian cosmonauts Sergei Krikalyov and Yuri Gidzenko blasted off to become the first residents on the International Space Station. Read Less Expedition crew going to International Space StationExpedition 1 crew members, Sergei K. Krikalev, Bill Shepherd and Yuri P. Gidzenko pose for final pho… Read MoreExpedition 1 crew members, Sergei K. Krikalev, Bill Shepherd and Yuri P. Gidzenko pose for final photos prior to their launch aboard a Soyuz rocket to the International Space Station from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
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Read Less Blasting off from launchpad to ISS in spaceA cloud of smoke surrounds the Soyuz rocket seconds before liftoff from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakstan, carrying the first residents of the International Space Station. Inside the International Space StationThe Expedition 1 crew members pose with fresh oranges onboard the Zvezda Service Module of the Earth… Read MoreThe Expedition 1 crew members pose with fresh oranges onboard the Zvezda Service Module of the Earth-orbiting International Space Station on Dec. 4, 2000. Pictured, from left, are cosmonaut Yuri P. Gidzenko, Soyuz commander; astronaut Bill Shepherd, mission commander; and cosmonaut Sergei K. Krikalev, flight engineer.
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Read Less International Space Station turns 22 years oldWith its first piece launched in 1998, the International Space Station already has logged 22 years i… Read MoreWith its first piece launched in 1998, the International Space Station already has logged 22 years in orbit. NASA and its partners contend it easily has several years of usefulness left 260 miles (400 kilometers) up.
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Read Less Humanity’s home in orbital spaceAstronauts spend most of their six-month stints these days keeping the space station running and performing science experiments. Serving as medical guinea pigs
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astronauts have even spent close to a year up there on a single flight, serving as medical guinea pigs. International Space Station dropping below Earth’s horizonThe International Space Station, backdropped against black space above Earth’s horizon, is seen from the Space Shuttle Discovery on March 19, 2001. Docking compartment of International Space StationExpedition 1 mission commander Bill Shepherd works in a docking compartment aboard the International… Read MoreExpedition 1 mission commander Bill Shepherd works in a docking compartment aboard the International Space Station on Dec. 5, 2000.
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Read Less Anchoring yourself inside International Space StationExpedition 1 flight engineer Sergei K. Krikalev works in the Zvezda Service Module, with his feet anchored in a tunnel hatchway, aboard the International Space Station on Dec. 6, 2000.