The International Station is launched, segment-by-segment, and assembled in space.

The International Space Station (ISS) is so huge that no single rocket could launch it at one time. Hence, the ISS is divided into segments (modules) and launched by using the Russian Proton rockets and the US Space Shuttles. It will take more than 40 flights in total to launch all of the segments of the ISS. Once launched, the segments will be assembled in space thus making one huge space station.

The assembly of the ISS has already started. The first segment was launched on November 20, 1998.

The ISS construction is still on going and the completion is anticipated in 2010.

Take a look at how the ISS is assembled in space!