Today marks 20 years of human presence on the International Space Station (ISS). On November 2, 2000, the first crew to inhabit the ISS, NASA Commander William Shepherd and cosmonauts Sergei Krikalev and Yuri Gidzenko of Roscosmos, arrived at the Station. Since 2000, 241 individuals from 19 different countries have visited the ISS and taken part in this international research and development effort in space.
“Twenty years of living and working in space, carrying out cutting-edge research, and sustaining a multilateral international partnership has provided immeasurable benefits for science, exploration, and our everyday lives,” said Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). “I would like to extend a sincere congratulations to NASA and our international partners on this historic milestone. The ISS has proved that science and discovery should not be limited by a country’s border. I would like to thank all the brave crewmembers and the ISS workforce over the past few decades for their dedication to ensuring the safety and success of ISS operations and to our continued pursuit of space exploration and discovery.”
