How to Colonize an Asteroid
Data for this page was gathered from the Human Spaceflight Web at Nasa.
November 20, 1998 - The first module, called "Zarya" (Russian for "Sunrise") was launched on a Proton Rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakstan.
December 4, 1998 - (STS-88) The second module, called "Unity" was launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Unity is a spoke like connecting module.
May 27, 1999 - (STS-96) The first Shuttle docking mission to the ISS was launched, carrying tools and supplies in preparation for the first actual crew mission to the station.
May 19, 2000 - (STS-101) Another Shuttle "Housekeeping" mission to carry equipment and supplies.
July 12, 2000 - The Russian "Zvezda" (Russian for "Star") is launched. It docked with the ISS on July 26, 2000. Zvezda provided the first temporary living quarters to the ISS and is the primary docking port for the automated Russian resupply ships (The "Progress" craft). In addition, it has a propulsion system used for early boosting of the station's orbit.
September 8, 2000 - (STS-106) Shuttle Atlantis launched with another cargo and equipment load. A Progress unmanned cargo ship was already docked at the space station, and this mission completed the final loading of supplies in preparation for the first permanent crew.
October 11, 2000 - (STS-92) The Shuttle "Discovery" made the 100th shuttle launch in history to supply the first external framework module to the station, stabilizing gyroscopes and a new docking port.
October 31, 2000 - The first permanent crew ("Expedition One") was launched from Kazakstan. The three man crew rode into orbit on a Soyuz spacecraft, which also acts as a "lifeboat" for the space station. The Russians will keep a Soyuz craft docked with the space station at all times sso that there is a way for astronauts to escape when the space shuttle is not there.
November 30, 2000 - (STS-97) Shuttle Endeavour launced the first set of US made solar arrays to the station.
February 7, 2001 - (STS-98) Shuttle Atlantis launched the US "Destiny" Laboratory Module.
March 8, 2001 - (STS-102) Shuttle Discovery launched the first rotation crew for the space station ("Expedition Two") and the Italian built "Leonardo" multi purpose logistics module made it's first flight. Loenardo is a pressurized cargo container used to ferry supplies to the station.
April 19, 2001 - (STS-100) Shuttle Endeavour carried the Canadian robotic arm, or "Space Station Remote Manipulator System", and the Leonardo logistics module full of supplies into orbit.