Space station

A space station , in the field of the Astronautics, is an installation space in Orbite or deposited on a Astre, not having autonomous means of propulsion or having only means of propulsion reduced, and intended to ensure one or more missions determined with a certain permanence. The term corresponding in English is space station .

Currently, only of the space stations intended to be in terrestrial orbit was built.

Characteristics

The space stations are distinguished from the other space engines, like the Space shuttle, by the fact that they can remain in orbit many years. They are also unable to turn over on Earth and have a capacity of change of trajectory which is limited to avoid space remains.

Whereas the artificial satellites are put on orbit in only once, the space stations, because of their important size, are generally divided into modules. The latter are then put on orbit and assembled in space.

Utilities

The space stations are mainly used to carry out experiments in Apesanteur, like:

  • the manufacture of composite materials
  • the study of the effects of weightlessness on the living beings
  • validation of certain equipment intended to accomplish space voyages

Existing space stations and having existed

Currently, only the the United States and the Russia control the complete design of the space stations.

Russian stations

Station étasunienne

International station

Reference

Right French: decree of February 20th, 1995 relating to the terminology of sciences and space technology.

See too

  • List of the articles relating to astronautics

Simple: Space station

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