International Space Station 25 Years in Orbit: Crew Q&A

NASA is highlighting the 25th anniversary of International Space Station operations. On Dec. 6, 1998, the first two elements of the orbital outpost, the Unity and Zarya modules, were attached by crew members of space shuttle Endeavour’s STS-88 mission.

To highlight the anniversary, NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana, who was the STS-88 commander and one of the first people to board the space station in orbit, and International Space Station Program Manager Joel Montalbano will speak to the current station crew members, Expedition 70, on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023.

Through this global endeavor, 273 people from 21 countries have visited the unique microgravity laboratory that has hosted more than 3,300 research and educational investigations from people in 108 countries and areas.

Take a look back at 25 years of space station operations with NASA astronauts and experts:

• ISS@25: Operations