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The Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), known as “Kibo” (pronounced key-bow), which means “hope” in Japanese, is Japan’s first human-rated space facility and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA’s) first contribution to the ISS program. Kibo was designed and developed with a view to conducting scientific research activities on orbit. In Kibo, a maximum of four astronauts can perform experimental activities.
Resources necessary for Kibo’s on-orbit operation, such as air, power, data, and cooling fluid, are provided from the U.S. segment of the ISS.
Manufactured by: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) / Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Photo: ESA
Harmony
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Node 2 connects the U.S., European, and Japanese laboratories, as well as PMA-2. It offers two additional berthing ports. It also hosts eight standard space station equipment racks.
Manufactured by: NASA, ESA, Thales Alenia Space Italy (TAS-I)
Photo: ESA
Columbus
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The Columbus Research Laboratory is Europe’s largest contribution to the construction of the ISS. It supports scientific and technological research in a microgravity environment.
Columbus is a multifunctional pressurized laboratory permanently attached to Node 2 of the ISS. In itAstronauts carry out experiments in materials science, fluid physics, life science, and technology.
Manufactured by: European Space Agency (ESA)/European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. (EADS) Space Transportation
Photo: ESA
Destiny
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"Destiny" is the primary research laboratory for U.S. payloads, supporting a wide range of experiments and studies contributing to health, safety, and quality of life for people all over the world.
Science conducted on the ISS offers researchers an unparalleled opportunity to test physical processes in the absence of gravity. The results of these experiments will allow scientists to better understand our world and ourselves and prepare us for future missions. Destiny provides internal interfaces to accommodate 24 equipment racks for accommodation and control of ISS systems and scientific research.
Manufactured by: NASA / Boeing
Photo: ESA
Unity
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Nodes are U.S. modules that connect the elements of the ISS. Node 1, called Unity, was the first U.S.-built element that was launched, and it connects the U.S. and Russian segments.
Manufactured by: NASA, Boeing.
Photo: ESA
Tranquility
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Tranquility, also known as Node 3, was one of the last U.S. components added to the International Space Station.
The pressurized section provides additional room for crew members and many of the space station's life support and environmental control systems on board. These systems include air revitalization, oxygen generation and water recycling. A waste and hygiene compartment and a treadmill also are located there.
Manufactured by: NASA, ESA, Thales Alenia Space
Photo: ESA
Zarya
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The Zarya Module, also known by the technical term Functional Cargo Block and the Russian acronym FGB was the first launched element of the ISS, built in Russia under a U.S. contract.
During the early stages of ISS assembly, the FGB was self-contained, providing power, communications, and attitude control functions. Now, the FGB module is used primarily for storage and propulsion. The FGB was based on the modules of Mir.
Manufactured by: NASA, Boeing, Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center.
Photo: ESA
Zvezda
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The Service Module was the first fully Russian contribution, providing early living quarters, life-support system, electrical power distribution, data processing system, flight control system, and propulsion system.
Its communications system still enables remote command capabilities from ground flight controllers. Although some of these systems were subsequently supplemented by U.S. systems, the Service Module remains the structural and functional center of the Russian segment of the ISS.
Manufactured by: Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), S.P.Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia (RSC Energia).
Photo: ESA
