Photos: Space station needs help from friends

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  • International Space Station

    International Space Station

    The International Space Station, as seen from the space shuttle Discovery, has been in orbit since its construction began in 1998. It may never be completed and may be put out of service before 2010 if NASA shuttle missions are delayed further. The station is 240 feet by 146 feet and 90 feet tall.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • station dwellers

    station dwellers

    Currently the International Space Station is inhabited by Expedition 11 Russian commander Sergei Krikalev and American flight engineer and science officer John Phillips. They have been manning the space station since April 16, 2005.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • station maintenance

    station maintenance

    Mission Specialist Soichi Noguchi from Discovery traverses the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station. Shuttle astronauts took spacewalks to install a platforms and repair instruments on the space station.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • lab work

    lab work

    Flight Engineer John L. Phillips works in the lab while conducting an experiment on his own body. He's wearing a pair of cycling tights outfitted with sensors that measure joints, muscle activity and foot force. Scientists hope to solve the mystery of bone and muscle loss during space flight and also better understand osteoporosis on Earth.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • incoming supplies

    incoming supplies

    The space station replenishes its supplies from craft such as Progress 18, which was launched from Russia to deliver two tons of supplies--including food, water, fuel and equipment--to the Expedition 11 crew members aboard the station. Discovery also brought fresh supplies when it arrived.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • taking out the trash

    taking out the trash

    To prepare for a new supply vehicle, crew members packed unmanned cargo ship Progress 17 with a load of trash and unneeded equipment and then sent it to be deorbited and burned up in Earth's atmosphere. Discovery brought back a load of trash to Earth.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Hurricane

    Hurricane

    The space station serves as an orbiting observatory. Expedition 11 Science Officer John Phillips captured this photo of the eye of Hurricane Emily on July 17, 2005, as the storm churned in the Caribbean Sea east of the Yucatan Peninsula.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Kliper

    Kliper

    The Russian reusable spacecraft Kliper is one of the principal attractions at the MAKS 2005 air and space show in Zhukovsky, Russia.

    Kliper is intended to replace the disposable Soyuz vehicle that runs supplies to the International Space Station. See more photos from the MAKS 2005 air and space show in Zhukovsky, Russia.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Space adventure

    Space adventure

    Some of the funds for the maintenance of the space station are provided through travel adventures for private individuals. A Japanese agency will charge about $20 million a head for a weeklong tour. American company Space Adventures already has sent customers on such adventures. Greg Olsen, who is currently training and scheduled to go into orbit in October, says a flight to the moon is intriguing to him.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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station maintenance

Mission Specialist Soichi Noguchi from Discovery traverses the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station. Shuttle astronauts took spacewalks to install a platforms and repair instruments on the space station.

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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