International Space Station: the innovative lab in Earth's orbit

On November 20, 1998, the first module of the International Space Station, Zarya, was launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome

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The International Space Station consists of pressurised modules, external trusses, solar arrays and other components. Photo: International Space Station photographed soon after the space shuttle Atlantis and the station began their post-undocking separation, 2009

The station serves as research laboratory in which crew members conduct experiments in biology, physics, astronomy, meteorology and other fields. Photo: NASA astronaut during the spacewalk, 2011

The station has been continuously occupied for more than 14 years since the arrival of Expedition 1 on 2 November 2000. Photo: First crew of the International Space Station, US astronaut Bill Shepherd and Russian cosmonauts Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalyov in front of Soyuz TM rocket at Baikonur cosmodrome, 2000

The electrical system of the International Space Station uses solar cells to directly convert sunlight to electricity which allows the crew live comfortably and safely operate the station. Photo: Astronaut working with the port overhead solar array wing, 2006

The station is divided into two sections, the Russian Orbital Segment (ROS) and the United States Orbital Segment (USOS), which is shared by many nations. Photo: International Space Station seen from space shuttle Discovery, as the two spacecraft begin their relative separation, 2009

First component of ISS, module Zarya was launched in 1998. Photo: Astronauts Jerry Ross and Jim Newman preparing to unfurl an antenna on the Russian-made module Zarya, 1998

Over the next years the station continued to expand. Mobile Servicing System, or robotic system Canadarm2, was launched to the ISS in 2001. Photo: Astronaut Rick Linnehan, anchored to a Canadarm2 mobile foot restraint, as he participates in spacewalk, 2008

Canadarm2 plays a key role in station assembly and maintenance. Photo: The grasp of the International Space Station's robotic Canadarm2, 2012

All the station's modules except Rassvet required installation by crewmembers using the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) and extra-vehicular activity (EVA). Photo: ESA astronaut participating in the session of extravehicular activity as construction goes on the International Space Station, 2006

From June 5, 2011 astronauts added 159 components of the ISS during more than 1,000 hours of EVA. Photo: ESA astronaut participating in session of extravehicular activity as construction goes on the International Space Station, 2006

Cupola, ESA-built observatory module of the ISS was delivered to the station in 2010. Photo: Astronaut George Zamka in a window of the newly-installed Cupola of the International Space Station, 2010

Cupola is a seven window observatory, used to view Earth and docking spacecraft. Photo: A fisheye lens view of planet Earth seen from the Cupola on the Earth-facing side of the ISS, 2013

ISS crew members have an opportunity to enjoy unforgattable view. Photo: A night time European panorama revealing city lights from Belgium and the Netherlands at bottom center, 2012

After the US Space Shuttle program ended in 2011, Soyuz rockets became the only provider of transport for astronauts at the International Space Station. Photo: A Russian Soyuz capsule with the ISS crew landing near the town of Arkalyk in northern Kazakhstan, 2012

The ISS programme is a joint project among five participating space agencies: NASA, Roscosmos, JAXA, ESA, and CSA. Photo: NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy inside the Cupola of the International Space Station

The ownership and use of the space station is established by intergovernmental treaties and agreements. Photo: Docked Soyuz 13 (TMA-9) and Progress 22 resupply vehicle, 2006

On November 20, 1998, the first module of the International Space Station, Zarya, was launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome. The ISS is the largest human-made body in low Earth orbit. The ISS programme is a joint project among five participating space agencies: NASA, Roscosmos, JAXA, ESA, and CSA. The ownership and use of the space station is established by intergovernmental treaties and agreements. The station has been continuously occupied for more than 14 years since the arrival of Expedition 1 on 2 November 2000. The International Space Station from various angles - in photo gallery by TASS.