On December 6, 1998, the International Space Station began to take form when its first two elements, Unity and Zarya, were connected by crew members of the Space Shuttle STS-88 mission.

Carrying the American-built Unity module, Space Shuttle Endeavour launched at 3:35:34 am EST on December 4, 1998 from the Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39A, after a one day delay due to its launch window expiring. Aboard were Sergei K. Krikalev, representing the Russian Space Agency (RSA), astronaut Nancy J. Currie, astronauts Jerry L. Ross, mission specialist. James H. Newman, mission specialist. Robert D. Cabana, mission commander and Frederick W. “Rick” Sturckow was Endeavour’s pilot. The payload for the mission was the Unity module along with other experiments.

Building ISS

On December 5th, 1998, the 12.8-ton Unity connecting module was first connected to Endeavour’s docking system, then on December 6th, using Endeavour’s 50-foot-long robot arm, the Zarya control module was captured from orbit and mated to Unity. Zarya was launched on November 20th, 1998.

Astronauts Ross and Newman then conducted three space walks to attach cables, connectors and hand rails. Mission Commander Robert Cabana led the construction effort, and was the first American to enter the space station.

Unity and Zarya were deemed successfully engaged at 9:48 PM, December 6th, and Unity came to life at 10:49 PM December 7th. At 2:54 p.m. on December 10th, Commander Cabana and Russian cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev floated into the new station together, followed by the rest of Endeavour’s crew at 4:12PM.

The Past 25 Years

Since then, of course, many new modules have been added as well as scientific gear and other equipment needed for ISS’s day-to-day operation. astronauts have continuously lived and worked aboard the space station for more than 23 years, and it has been visited by 273 people from 21 countries to date and ISS is an exemplary example of international cooperation. Its expected lifespan is currently scheduled to stretch until 2030.

Since the STS-88, Robert Cabana has moved to other roles inside NASA — he was the Director of Kennedy Space Center from 2008 to 2021, and is now the Associate Administrator of the government’s space agency. He recently announced his retirement.

NASA will be celebrating the anniversary by conducting a live conversation with the the Expedition 70 crew currently aboard ISS on December 6th. They will speak with NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana and Joel Montalbano, space station program manager. The public may watch this ceremony via NASA-Television, available on the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency’s website and many cable and DBS providers.