The International Space Station (ISS) is the unique blend of unified and diversified goals among the worlds space agencies that will lead to improvement in life on Earth for all people of all nations. While the various space agency partners may emphasize different aspects of research to achieve their goals in the use of the ISS, they are unified in several important overarching goals. All of the agencies recognize the importance of leveraging the ISS as an education platform to encourage and motivate todays youth to pursue careers in math, science, engineering, and technology (STEM): educating the children of today to be the leaders and space explorers of tomorrow. Advancing our knowledge in the areas of human physiology, biology, and material and physical sciences and translating that knowledge to health, socioeconomic, and environmental benefits on Earth is another common goals of the agencies: returning the knowledge gained in space research for the benefit of society. Finally, all the agencies are unified in their goals to apply knowledge gained through ISS research in human physiology, radiation, materials science, engineering, biology, fluid physics, and technology: enabling future space exploration mission. The International Space Station (ISS) is a great international, technological, and political achievement. It is the latest step in humankind's quest to explore and live in space. The research done on the ISS may advance our knowledge in various areas of science, enable us to improve life on this planet, and give us the experience and increased understanding that can eventually equip us to journey to other worlds. As a result of the Station s complexity, few understand its configuration, its design and component systems, or the complex operations required in its construction and operation. This book provides high-level insight into the ISS. The ISS is in orbit today, operating with a crew of three. Its assembly will continue through 2010. As the ISS grows, its capabilities will increase, thus requiring a larger crew. Assembly of the International Space Station (ISS) is a remarkable achievement. Since November 2000 humankind has maintained a continuous presence in space. Over this timespan, the ISS International Partnership has flourished. We have learned much about construction and about how humans and spacecraft systems function in orbit. But there is much more to do and learn, and this voyage of research and discovery is just beginning. As a national laboratory, the ISS is beginning to provide new opportunities for other agencies, academia, and commercial and other partner to pursue novel avenues of research and development, and to promote science, technology, engineering, and math education. We cannot now foresee all that may be uncovered on this voyage, but we look forward to the voyage and returning knowledge to extend the human presence beyond and improve life here on Earth.
