'Performing such experiments in zero gravity will ultimately help develop new hardware and software for future space missions.' WHAT IS THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION? The International Space Station (ISS) is a $100 billion (£80 billion) science and engineering laboratory that orbits 250 miles (400 km) above Earth. ISS studies have investigated human research, space medicine, life sciences, physical sciences, astronomy and meteorology. The US space agency, Nasa, spends about $3 billion (£2.4 billion) a year on the space station program, a level of funding that is endorsed by the Trump administration and Congress.

Source: Daily Mail May 20, 2019 16:41 UTC