How big is the International Space Station (ISS)?

ISS is the largest man-made object in the universe. It is so big that you can see it in the sky without a telescope. ISS is 109 meters long and 75 meters wide, which is equivalent to a football field. The station weighs 420 tons, equivalent to about 280 cars combined.

Inside the station is 932m ³ , of which 2/3 is for equipment and the remaining 1/3 for human activities.

ISS is 109 meters long and 75 meters wide, which is equivalent to a football field.

That sounds like a lot of space for six astronauts to live and work, but it's still cramped and difficult.

Tiny living space

Each astronaut's bedroom is a small cabin (cabin) with a sleeping bag attached to the wall of the cabin so that the bag does not slip and the astronauts do not float in space while they are sleeping. In the cabin there is also a computer and a place for a few other personal items.

There are also laboratories for the crew to do research. Each expedition can require 2,400 research and investigations, so laboratories are always busy and crew members always have to give up their workplaces and equipment.

Inside a lab on ISS.

Installed in space

Did you know that humans spent 42 flights into space to assemble the main parts of the ISS?

Outside the station, there are 8 solar panels to supply electricity to the station. The total power that these panels provide is up to 90 KW, which is about a quarter of the electricity consumption of a Vietnamese household in the city.

The space station also has the ability for six other spacecraft to connect to it at the same time. These ships bring people and goods from Russia, Japan and the United States to the station.

Observe the Earth

From the observation deck out is extremely interesting. Astronauts often observe the space through a special window, which is only enough space for one astronaut to observe and photograph the Earth.

ISS orbits the Earth 16 times a day. Imagine you have to see the sun rise 16 times a day and set 16 times to see, that is wonderful, right?

• Looking back at the ISS space station after 15 years of operation
• Surprise with the "International final resting place" of the International Space Station in the future