International Space Station - the evolution

The idea of ​​creating the International Space Station (ISS) "Alpha" originated in the early 90-ies. The transition from project to action came in 1995, when NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin persuaded President Bill Clinton to the need for annual spending on the program "Alpha", 2 1 billion. Dollars over seven years. An important factor contributing to the fact that the US Congress has approved the allocation of NASA's 13, 1 billion. Dollars for the construction of the ISS, was Russia's agreement to participate in this program. The project has become a truly international after accession to the European Space Agency (ESA), Canada and Japan. In accordance with the agreements reached at the meeting of Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin and US Vice-President Al Gore, on 15 August 1995 the company "Boeing", the head of NASA contractor on the program "Alpha", and the State Research and Production Space Center of MV AT. Khrunichev (GKNPTSH) signed a contract worth $ 190 million. Dollars, comprising the construction and placing in orbit the nucleus of the future of the ISS. "I think this event is symbolic, - said on this occasion, Daniel Goldin. - So far we have competed in space, now we have the opportunity to work together to take on a major high-tech projects for the benefit of all mankind. " The construction of "Alpha" began in November 1998, when the "Proton" into orbit FGB. In December 1998, the ICC "Endeavor" delivered the connector block "a node-1." One adapter for leakage "of nodes-1" will be docked to the FGB, another adapter will be used "Shuttle" in the early stages of the construction of the ISS.
To keep the plant in good condition annually required 170 man-hours of work in the open space, and four - five flights IWC.







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