International Space Station marks 24 years of continuous human presence in orbit

The International Space Station (ISS) has been continuously occupied since November 2000, when the first crew, including NASA astronaut Bill Shepherd, began their four-month mission. Over 280 people from 22 countries have since visited the ISS. The ISS has expanded significantly, now featuring six sleeping quarters, two bathrooms, and a gym. It supports diverse research in fields like astrobiology and materials science, with four cargo spacecraft delivering supplies and experiments. Looking ahead, the ISS will continue to operate until 2030, with plans for new modules. After that, it will be de-orbited, and future research will shift to commercially operated low-Earth orbit stations.