The International Space Station Expands Again
Credit:
STS-115 Shuttle Crew,
NASA
The developing
International Space Station (ISS) has changed its appearance again.
Over the past few days, the
Space Shuttle
Atlantis visited the
ISS and added pieces of the
Integrated Truss Structure, including an
impressively long
array of solar panels.
These expansive solar panels are visible extending from the lower right of the
above image taken by the
Shuttle Atlantis Crew after leaving the
ISS to return to Earth.
The world's foremost space outpost
can be seen developing over the past several years by comparing the
above image
to
past
images.
Also visible above are many
different types of modules, a robotic
arm, another impressive set of
solar panels, and a supply ship.
Construction began on the
ISS in 1998.