Ever wondered what it is like aboard the International Space Station?
The European Space Agency (ESA) has just released a narrated 13-minute tour of the habitable satellite, explaining every bit that makes up the infrastructure.
Although there is no shortage of footage regarding the ISS on the internet, the new video can help viewers become more familiar with the station's often confusing layout.
The cool bonus is that the video is in Anaglyph 3D. If you have a spare pair of red/cyan glasses, you can immerse yourself in the experience.
Even if you don't own 3D glasses, you can also check out the video in 2D in ESA's website. The video is available in six different languages, including English, Dutch, German, Italian, Spanish and French.
A Tour Of The International Space Station
Considered as the biggest structure ever built by humans in space, the ISS is the result of a global partnership between international communities, including the United States, Europe, Russia, Japan and Canada.
The ISS, which is roughly the size of a football field, is the home of six crew members. It has been circling our planet at 28,000 kilometers per hour (about 17,398 miles per hour) at 400 kilometers (248.5 miles) above the Earth since 1998.
The narrator of the video describes each component that comprises the ISS.
1. The Columbus Laboratory: This laboratory is the single largest contribution of ESA. It was constructed in Italy with respect to thermal control and structures. It is a cylindrical module that is 7 meters (23 feet) in length and 4.5 meters (15 feet) in diameter.
2. Harmony: Also known as the utility hub, Harmony was built by the same company that created Columbus. It was made in agreement between NASA and ESA. It contains racks that provide electronic data and electrical power. It also acts as a connecting point for several other ISS components.
3. Kibo: This laboratory is Japan's contribution to the ISS. It has a large external platform for scientific investigations and experiments.
4. The Canadian Robotic Arm: Along the Integrated Truss Structure or the backbone of the ISS is the Canadian Robotic Arm. This 17-meter robot is instrumental as it has helped astronauts build the station. It is capable of handling large payloads, moving astronauts around and capturing visiting vehicles.
Know more about the other parts of the space station as well as the daily life of astronauts aboard the ISS in the video below.
Photo: Global Panorama | Flickr
