As India’s Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla embarks on his historic journey to the International Space Station, it’s worth understanding the orbital laboratory where he and his Axiom-4 crewmates will live and work for the next two weeks.Hovering silently above us at an altitude of approx 408km, ISS is a symbol of global scientific cooperation, engineering excellence, and humanity’s quest to thrive beyond Earth.
Orbiting Home ISS orbits Earth at a breakneck speed of 28,000kmph, completing one full revolution every 90 minutes, about 16 orbits per day. This means Shukla and his crew will witness multiple sunrises and sunsets daily, suspended in a delicate balance of speed and gravity that keeps them perpetually falling around the planet.Monumental StructureConstructed over a decade with parts launched via 42 separate missions, ISS has grown into a sprawling space complex. It stretches 73 metres long and, with its solar arrays extended, spans 109metres across – larger than a football field.Weighing in at around 4.2-lakh-kg, the ISS contains over 15 pressurised modules, contributed by five core partner agencies: Nasa (US), Roscosmos (Russia), ESA (Europe), Jaxa (Japan), and CSA (Canada). The main truss, which supports solar panels and radiators, acts as the station’s structural backbone.Powered by The SunEight vast solar arrays generate up to 120 kilowatts of power, stored in rechargeable batteries to ensure round-the-clock operation. These panels power everything from scientific instruments to daily crew needs, including the all-important oxygen generation systems and environmental controls.Living in OrbitThe station supports a core crew of six, although it can accommodate up to ten astronauts during short-term missions like Ax-4. Life aboard is carefully regulated: astronauts follow a schedule, including two hours of exercise to counteract muscle and bone loss due to weightlessness.The station’s facilities include private sleeping quarters, a galley, toilets, an observation cupola and even exercise equipment. Communication delays are minimal, about 1-2 seconds, enabling near real-time chats with mission control and loved ones.Research PowerhouseThe ISS is not just a home. It’s the most advanced research laboratory in low-Earth orbit (LEO). Experiments conducted aboard span microgravity physics, life sciences, biotechnology, Earth observation, and even space agriculture. Notable investigations include the Cupola Module. With its seven windows, the Module offers astronauts stunning panoramic views of Earth. It is used for photography, spacecraft docking oversight, and occasional quiet reflection – a favourite spot for many ISS inhabitants.Getting There & BackTransport to the International Space Station is now shared among multiple spacecraft: Soyuz (Russia), Crew Dragon (SpaceX), and soon, Boeing’s Starliner. Cargo missions – vital for resupplying food, water, scientific gear, and spare parts – are conducted by spacecraft such as Dragon, Cygnus, HTV, and very soon, Dream Chaser.What Comes Next?With an expected operational life through at least 2030, the ISS will eventually give way to commercial space stations like Axiom Station, Starlab, and others. A controlled deorbit, managed by Nasa and Roscosmos, is planned to ensure a safe end to this decades-long orbiting laboratory’s mission.As Shukla begins his space-based scientific duties, he enters a facility that not only showcases India’s growing role in human spaceflight, but also serves as one of humanity’s greatest international achievements. The ISS is not just a station – it’s a shared frontier, where science, diplomacy, and exploration converge 400km above Earth.