International Space Station Marks 25 Years of Continuous Human Habitation in Orbit

The International Space Station (ISS) has achieved a historic milestone, marking 25 years of continuous human presence in space since November 2, 2000. Nearly 300 individuals from 26 countries, including professional astronauts, space tourists, and even a movie director, have visited the ISS, which remains the largest, most complex, and longest-lasting spacecraft ever built. Despite its utilitarian and cluttered interior, the ISS has been a hub for thousands of scientific studies, advancing knowledge in areas from physics to human health, and has fostered international cooperation even amid geopolitical tensions. NASA plans to transition to private orbiting stations in the next five years as the ISS approaches the end of its service life. The station's history includes remarkable stories such as extended missions, the participation of private clients like Dennis Tito, and ongoing collaboration between US and Russian space agencies. The ISS continues to host crews representing multiple nations, underscoring its role as a unique platform for living and working in low Earth orbit.