International Space Station

What's life like in low-Earth orbit? A guide to the latest science, insights, and experiences on our favorite space station.

Latest in International Space Station

an astronaut on a spacewalk in a full spacesuit takes a selfie with earth in the background

Science

Six months in space is not that bad for your brain Six months in space is not that bad for your brain

By Laura Baisas

Gloved hand pointing to LignoSat wooden satellite prototype

Technology

World’s first wooden satellite shares material with samurai sword sheaths World’s first wooden satellite shares material with samurai sword sheaths

ISS's first crew poses during water survival training.

Science

November 2, 2000: The first residents move into the International Space Station November 2, 2000: The first residents move into the International Space Station

By Bill Gourgey

SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launching with ISS Crew-9

Science

NASA warns SpaceX over safety issues after astronaut hospitalization NASA warns SpaceX over safety issues after astronaut hospitalization

Sierra Space TCPS machine

Science

ISS astronauts to test trash compactor that’s basically WALL-E ISS astronauts to test trash compactor that’s basically WALL-E

three photos showing aurora from space

Science

Astronaut shares dazzling footage of aurora from space Astronaut shares dazzling footage of aurora from space

By Popular Science Team

Satellite image of Hurricane Helene

Environment

What Hurricane Helene looks like from space What Hurricane Helene looks like from space

Starliner docked with ISS with Earth in background

Science

NASA can explain Starliner’s spooky, pulsing sounds NASA can explain Starliner’s spooky, pulsing sounds

Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams with two astronauts aboard ISS

Science

Starliner astronauts are watering plants and fixing urine pumps on ISS Starliner astronauts are watering plants and fixing urine pumps on ISS

A sample location from the Sampling Quadrangle Assemblages Research Experiment (SQuARE), Square 03 in the starboard Maintenance Work Area of the International Space Station. An open crew berth is visible at right. The yellow dotted line indicates the boundaries of the sample area.

Archaeology

Astronauts conduct the first archeological study in space Astronauts conduct the first archeological study in space

European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano, Expedition 36 flight engineer, is pictured near food packages floating freely in the Unity node of the International Space Station.

Health

Why food tastes more bland in space Why food tastes more bland in space

International Space Station orbiting above Earth

International Space Station

NASA is paying SpaceX to destroy the International Space Station NASA is paying SpaceX to destroy the International Space Station

NASA astronaut and Expedition 71 Flight Engineer Tracy C. Dyson is pictured in her spacesuit prior to the start of a science and maintenance spacewalk that ended early after her suit experienced a water leak in the service and cooling umbilical unit.

International Space Station

NASA is having one rough summer NASA is having one rough summer

In the era of private spaceflight, who gets to be an astronaut?

Science

In the era of private spaceflight, who gets to be an astronaut? In the era of private spaceflight, who gets to be an astronaut?

By Briley Lewis

NASA astronaut and Expedition 68 Flight Engineer Woody Hoburg rides the Canadarm2 robotic arm while maneuvering a roll-out solar array toward the International Space Station's truss structure 257 miles above the Pacific Ocean. In the rear, is the SpaceX Dragon crew vehicle that docked to the Harmony module's forward port on March 3 carrying four SpaceX Crew-6 crew members.

Science

‘Check his pulse one more time’: NASA accidentally airs ISS emergency test ‘Check his pulse one more time’: NASA accidentally airs ISS emergency test

Astronaut conducting spacewalk outside ISS

Science

NASA astronauts will scrape microorganisms off ISS during upcoming spacewalk NASA astronauts will scrape microorganisms off ISS during upcoming spacewalk

Boeing Starliner launch

Science

Boeing Starliner launches first crewed mission for NASA Boeing Starliner launches first crewed mission for NASA

NASA and Boeing’s Starliner delays expose the challenges of space travel

Science

NASA and Boeing’s Starliner delays expose the challenges of space travel NASA and Boeing’s Starliner delays expose the challenges of space travel

By Briley Lewis

Science

Yes, a chunk of the space station crashed into a house in Florida Yes, a chunk of the space station crashed into a house in Florida

Astronaut Andreas Mogensen aboard the ISS

Science

Let this astronaut show you around the International Space Station Let this astronaut show you around the International Space Station