The International Space Station is more than just an outpost in space – it’s a huge orbiting research laboratory

Interviewed by Laura Mears

The International Space Station (ISS) houses an incredible array of cutting-edge research facilities, allowing scientists back on Earth to conduct pioneering experiments in space. Different space agencies, academic institutions and private companies from across the world share the onboard facilities, taking it in turns to perform their experiments. Delicate tests can be conducted in microgravity inside the station itself, and outside experiments can be exposed to vacuum and radiation. With a clear view of space and out of the reaches of Earth’s atmosphere, the ISS is also the perfect place to investigate the universe.

Some experiments investigate the physical sciences, looking at the behaviour of different materials in space, while others focus on biology, helping us understand how the human body is affected by space travel or how to grow food away from Earth. Others monitor Earth, taking advantage of the ISS’ incredible view of our planet below.

The station also houses sophisticated equipment to examine space itself, and inside, advanced technology can be developed and tested in microgravity. Join us as we investigate ten awesome International Space Station experiments, from robotic crew members to an orbiting coffee machine.

ONE

WORKING WITH A HUMANOID

The ISS is always occupied by at least three human crew members, and since February 2011 they’ve been joined by Robonaut 2. On its arrival, the robotic crew member met the ISS commander with a handshake and greeted the public by signing ‘hello world’. This incredible robot is the result of a collaboration between NASA, General Motors and Oceaneering Space Systems. Together they wanted to create a robot that was capable of carrying out repetitive, uncomfortable or dangerous tasks.

Robonaut 2’s hands are flexible like our own – its thumb can bend to touch all of its fingers – and it has a grip strength equivalent to a human hand. Its arms are soft and padded and contain springs that give way easily when pushed, allowing astronauts to work safely alongside Robonaut 2.