The International Space Station’s facilities are enabling research that will bring major benefits to citizens, as well as being a stepping stone to further space exploration, according to ESA
The International Space Station is a shining example of global cooperation, uniting Europe, the United States, Russia, Japan and Canada in the largest partnership in the history of science. This human outpost in the Earth’s orbit is a stepping stone for further space exploration, and has brought humanity together to live and work in space uninterrupted for a decade. The 450 tonne orbital complex has more than 1,200m3 of pressurised volume – enough room for the crew – and a vast array of scientific experiments.
Editorial note: Although the ISS may well have assisted in the progress of telemedicine I am not convinced that I would wish to be an astronaut undergoing remote robotic surgery when the time delay between earth and the ISS must surely be a second or so. I am reminded of that famous line spoken by James Robertson Justice in the film Doctor in the House which went “What’s the bleeding time?” Response from nervous medical student: “Er, ten-thirty, sir”
