National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Build the Station Simulation

Educators Guide
www.nasa.gov

Educational Product
Educators and Students Grades 58

Build the Station Simulation

Educators Guide

This document was created for the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration by NASA Headquarters and Johnson Space Center.
Materials found within this document are in the public domain and are
not subject to copyright requirements.

Cover Picture:
The International Space Station orbits above Earths surface.

Build the Station Simulation

Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
National Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
About the International Space Station (ISS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Parts of the Station Fact Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Science on the Station Fact Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
International Partners Fact Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
International Space Foods Fact Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Fun Station Facts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
International Space Station Summit Teacher Directions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Parts of the Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Space Station Operations and Mission Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Build the Station Simulation: Team Directions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Station Simulation Worksheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Pre-/Post-Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Extensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Answer Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Easy Ways To Obtain NASA Educational Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Introduction
With just a few materials, building a paper model of the International Space Station (ISS) can become
an excellent group, troop, or class project . This publication contains a brief overview of the ISS, its
parts, the science that occurs on board, instructions, and extensions for an interdisciplinary technology
experience . Discover more about the Station . Explore fun facts, simulate building the Station, and
learn about the international partners .
NASA hopes to whet users appetites for more space exploration through these materials . Teams of students can take on the roles of international partners and/or engineers as they learn about and assemble
portions of the model . Once each team briefs the group about their section of the model during a
mock summit, then its time to ensure Assembly Complete . Also included is a worksheet with Web
links (and an answer key) to help students process what they learn .
The end result is an international, team-building experience to construct a 3-D paper model of the
Station . With a bit of nylon fishing line or string, the model can hang suspended and seemingly
float below the ceiling . Various links to multimedia experiences are included to extend the experience and further bring the Station to life . Students can visit the links to play a spacewalking simulation game, find out how to view the Station from their backyard, and see pictures of the inside of
the Station using a program called Photosynth .

The International Space Station orbits Earth against the inky blackness of space.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

National Standards
This product meets the National Science Education Standards by the National Research Council .
Science and Technology
K12: Abilities of technological design .
K12: Understanding about science and technology .
Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
58: Science and technology in society .
912: Science and technology in local, national, and global challenges .
This product meets the Standards for Technological Literacy by the International Technology
Education Association .
The Nature of Technology
Standard 1: Students will develop an understanding of the characteristics and scope of technology .

About the International Space Station (ISS)

The ISS is the largest and most complex international scientific project in history . When it is complete
in the year 2011, the ISS will represent a move of unprecedented scale off the home planet . Led by the
United States, the ISS also draws upon the scientific and technological resources of four international
partners: Canada, Japan, Russia, and the European Space Agency .
More than four times as large as the Russian Mir space station, the completed ISS will have a mass of
about 1,040,000 pounds . It will measure 356 feet across and 290 feet long, with almost an acre of solar
panels to provide electrical power to six state-of-the-art laboratories . Amazingly, the ISS appears as the
third-brightest object in our sky after the Sun and Moon .
NASA and its international partners hope that scientific research planned for six separate space laboratories will lead to discoveries in medicine, materials, and fundamental science that will benefit the
people of Earth . Experimentation in space will advance our understanding of technologies required
for further space exploration and possible habitation . Planned research includes studies of protein
crystals, tissue cultures, life in low gravity, and the behavior of materials in space, as well as exterior
studies of the space environment .
For more information about the International Space Station, visit
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/.

Parts of the Station Fact Sheet

Total length: 354 feet
Total width: 240 feet
Total mass: 759,222 pounds
Altitude: 220 statute miles
Average speed: 17,239 mph
Time to orbit Earth: 91 minutes
Modules
Columbus
Launch date: February 7, 2008
Length: 22 .6 feet
Mass: 45,550 pounds
Purpose: Scientific research
Origin: Europe
Destiny
Launch date: February 7, 2001
Length: 30 .2 feet
Mass: 52,962 pounds
Purpose: Scientific research
Origin: United States

Multipurpose Laboratory Module

(MLM)Nauka
Launch date: March 2010
Length: 42 .7 feet
Mass: 41,887 pounds
Purpose: Scientific research
Origin: Russia
Mini-Research Module 2 (MRM2)Poisk
Launch date: November 12, 2009
Length: 13 feet
Mass: 8,091 pounds
Purpose: Space for scientific
experiments, airlock
Origin: Russia
Mini-Research Module 1 (MRM1)Rassvet
Launch date: May 2010
Length: 18 feet
Mass: 10,362 pounds
Purpose: Cargo storage and docking
Origin: Russia

Node 2Harmony
Launch date: October 23, 2007
Length: 24 feet
Mass: 31,500 pounds
Purpose: Utility hub, central connection
point for Station components
Origin: United States
KiboHope
Launch Date: July 15, 2009
Length: 36 .7 feet
Mass: 33,000 pounds
Purpose: Scientific research
Origin: Japan

The Station view of JAXAs laboratory, Kibo.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Node 3Tranquility
Launch date: February 2010
Length: 21 feet
Mass: 41,887 pounds
Purpose: Onboard environmental
support, observation of Earth
through Cupola station
Origin: Europe/United States
Node 1Unity
Launch date: December 1998
Length: 18 feet
Mass: 26,225 pounds
Purpose: Life support and passageway
to other areas of ISS
Origin: United States

An astronaut installs the Cupola to Tranquility Node.

Solar Array Panels

Launch dates: 200009
Length: Each wing (2 panels) is 115 feet long
with 32,800 solar cells that produce 32 kilowatts
of electricityenough to power 16 homes .
Purpose: Converting sunlight to electricity

Functional Cargo BlockZarya

Launch date: November 20, 1998
Length: 42 .6 feet
Mass: 55,045 pounds
Purpose: Storage and propulsion
Origin: Russia

Radiators
Launch dates: 200007
Purpose: Removing heat

Service ModuleZvezda
Launch date: July 11, 2000
Length: 43 feet
Mass: 54,242 pounds
Purpose: Communications center, storage
Origin: Russia
Truss Segments
Launch dates: 200009
Total Length: 365 feet
Mass: Ranging from 19,227 pounds to
32,000 pounds
Purpose: Attachment points for solar
arrays, radiators, and external experiments
Origin: United States

An astronaut grips a handrail on part of the Truss.

Science on the Station Fact Sheet

Science on the International Space Station
Scientific research on the ISS is done in areas called racks . Each rack can hold a number of experiments, each of which has the possibility of uncovering new and interesting facts about our universe
every day . Some of these experiments include the following:
Japanese Experiment ModuleExposed Facility is one of the outdoor decks of the
Space Station . It allows experiments to be exposed to the hostile environment of space, then examined
to see how space affected them . This research will help scientists and engineers design airplanes, spacecraft, and other items used on Earth to hold up better in harsh conditions .
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/science/experiments/JEM-EF.html
Combustion Integrated Rack houses experiments to study how fire and combustion work
differently in space than on Earth and will provide valuable information on fire prevention and suppression as well as energy creation .
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/science/experiments/CIR.html
European Modular Cultivation System allows astronauts to grow plants in a controlled,
zero-g environment to see how they grow in space compared to how they grow on Earth .
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/science/experiments/EMCS.html
Human Research Facility gives astronauts the ability to study the effects of long-duration space
flight on humans . Equipment such as ultrasounds, heart monitors, and the Pulmonary Function System
(which measures lung health) allow complete measurements of the health of the entire human body
while in orbit .
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/science/experiments/HRF-1.html
Cupola, the Space Stations room with a view, provides an opportunity to examine Earth using some
of the largest windows ever flown on a human-occupied spacecraft . This will enable research on coastal
changes, geology, and agriculture on Earth to be performed by astronauts in space .
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/stationpayloads/cupola.html

Taking pictures of Earth from the

Cupola inside the Tranquility Node.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

International Partners Fact Sheet

The United States has four international partners . They are the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), the
Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency ( JAXA), and the
European Space Agency (ESA) .
Canadian Space Agency
The CSA is the Canadian government space agency responsible
for Canadas space program .
The headquarters of the CSA and
Mission Control for the robotic arm system are located in Quebec .
Canada contributed a robotic arm, also known as the Mobile Servicing
System (MSS), to the Station . The MSS consists of three main elements:
the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS), known as
Canadarm2; the Mobile Base System (MBS); and the Special Purpose
Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM), known as Dextre, which is like a hand
with fingers .
http://www.space.gc.ca
European Space Agency (ESA)
ESA is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to the exploration of space, currently with
18 member countries . Headquartered in Paris,
ESAs member nations include France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain,
Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, Norway, Austria, Finland, Portugal,
Greece, Luxembourg, and the Czech Republic .
ESAs contributions to the ISS include the Ariane
launch vehicle, the Columbus laboratory, a supply spacecraft known as the Automated Transfer
Vehicle (ATV), and supply modules that were
carried in the Space Shuttle cargo bay and were
called Leonardo, Raffaello, and Donatello .
ESA science missions are based at the European
Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC)
in Noordwijk, Netherlands; ESA Mission Control
(ESOC) is in Darmstadt, Germany; and the
European Astronaut Centre (EAC) that trains
astronauts for future missions is situated in
Cologne, Germany .
http://www.esa.int

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

JAXA is Japans national aerospace agency . The headquarters
is located in Tokyo, with the primary spaceport in Tanegashima
Space Center and the Tsukuba Space Center in Tsukuba
Science City .
Japan has provided a rocket, a supply spacecraft called the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV), and a laboratory
called Kibo (Hope) to the International Space Station . Refer to the Parts of the Station Fact Sheet for
additional information .
http://www.jaxa.jp/index_e.html

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

(NASA)
NASA leads the United States efforts for aeronautics and space
exploration . Headquarters is based in Washington, DC, with 10
other Field Centers across the country:
Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH
Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA
Kennedy Space Center, Kennedy Space Center, FL
Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL
Stennis Space Center, Stennis Space Center, MS
Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Dryden Flight Research Center,
Edwards, CA
Jet Propulsion Laboratory,
Pasadena, CA
NASA contributed the Space Shuttles,
modules, nodes, solar arrays, radiators,
and supply modules to the ISS . Refer to
the Parts of the Station Fact Sheet for
more information .
www.nasa.gov

Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos)

Roscosmos is the government agency responsible for the
Russian space science program and general aerospace research .
The headquarters of Roscosmos is located in Moscow . Main Mission
Control is located in Korolev . The Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) is in Star City . The launch
facility used is the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan . Roscosmos provides the Proton rocket, the
Soyuz spacecraft, the Progress supply spacecraft, laboratories, and modules to the Space Station . For
more information, refer to the Parts of the Station Fact Sheet .
http://www.roscosmos.ru

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

International Space Foods Fact Sheet

Astronauts in low-Earth orbit are far from friends and family . Maybe that is one reason that eating
together is such a social occasion . On alternate days, meals are prepared from red (Russian) or blue
(U .S . or European) bins . Space food must be light,
take up little space, and have a long shelf life . Foods
are not refrigerated, but water and heat are available
to reconstitute food and drinks .
Here are examples of international foods served on
board the ISS:
United States
Beverage: Coffee
Appetizer: Shrimp cocktail
Main course: Fajitas with black beans and rice
Dessert: Cherry/blueberry cobbler
Communal meals are a tradition. Food is strapped
down with Velcro strips.

Russia
Beverage: Apricot juice
Appetizer: Beet salad
Main course: Beef goulash with mashed
potatoes and onion
Dessert: Honey cake
Europe
Beverage: Iced tea (lemon or orange)
Appetizer: Legumaise (mushroom truffle dip)
Main course: Duck breast confit with capers
Dessert: Rich chocolate cake

Fresh fruit and vegetables arrive with supply and

crew deliveries.

Japan
Beverage: Green or oolong tea
Appetizer: Soup with Wakame (seaweed)
Main course: Mackerel with Miso sauce and rice
Dessert: Sweet bread bean paste
Canada
Main course: Salmon
Dessert: Maple cookies
Snack: Berry fruit bars

10

Astroanuts in fashionable international wear with the

Russian Orlan and U.S. spacesuits.

Fun Station Facts

The International Space Station (ISS) is the size of an American football field with the end
zones included .
Five member space agencies built the ISS: NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia),
CSA (Canada), ESA (Europe), and JAXA ( Japan) .
The ISS orbits between 250 and 300 miles above Earths surface at a speed of 17,500 mph.
Astronauts see 16 sunrises and sunsets a day as the ISS orbits Earth once every
90 minutes .
The first piece of the ISS went up in 1998.
A crew has continuously lived on board since the year 2000.
The ISS won a trophy in 2010: the Collier Trophy, which is considered aviations
highest award .
Amazingly, the ISS appears as the third-brightest object in our sky after the Sun and Moon.
When complete, the ISSs habitable volume will equal the size of a three-bedroom house.
There are two toilets on the Station, one Russian and one American.
Each crew that arrives on the ISS rings a nautical bell when it boards and adds its
mission patch sticker to the collection .
Russian spacesuits are called Orlans. American suits are called Manned Maneuverability Units
(MMUs) . One enters the Orlan through the back; the MMU is donned in pieces .
Launch vehicles that service the ISS include the Space Shuttle (United States), the Soyuz
(Russia), the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ESA), and the HTV ( Japan) .
Astronauts typically stay 6 months aboard the ISS per mission.
The best view from the ISS is from the Cupola, which is a panoramic window
installed on the Tranquility Node (Node 3) .
The amounts of time astronauts from various countries spend on board the Station
are negotiated depending on the nations contributions of hardware, supplies, and
launch capabilities .

Astronauts work on the Stations

main Truss.

11

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

International Space Station Summit Teacher Directions

Pass out fact sheets, worksheets, templates, instructions, and materials to teams of students.
Teams should complete worksheets and build their section of the Station model .
Have each team brief other teams on at least five interesting facts about their teams sections of the
Station . This includes Parts of the Station, Fun Station Facts, International Partners, International
Foods, and Science on the Station .
Add pins to a large world map of member nations. Show where member nations are and where each
agencys headquarters is located .
Work together to assemble the parts of the Station (found on pages 15 through 27).
Suspend the Station from the ceiling using nylon cord and a paper clip and tape.
Plan to hold an international meal to celebrate the completion of the Station.

A progression of images showing the first components of the ISS under construction.

Materials
Parts of the International
Space Station

Tools you will need:

scissors
tape
glue (optional)
heavy paper
nylon fishing line
wood skewers or ice pop sticks
paper model templates
fact sheets, pages 5 to 11
worksheets, pages 29 and 30

Modules and NodesThese are the main areas

of the ISS where astronauts live and conduct
research .
The TrussThis acts as a support structure for
the radiators and solar arrays .

First, you will need to print out the three sheets

of parts on 8 x 11 paper . A heavier paper will
be a little easier to work with and will hold its
shape better .

12

Solar Arrays and RadiatorsThe arrays convert sunlight into power, while radiators cool the
ISS by eliminating excess heat .

Parts of the Model

1. Solar Panels
2. Radiators
3. Harmony
4. Destiny
5. Unity
6. Zarya
7. Zvezda
8. Quest Airlock
9. Zvezda Solar Panels

10. Truss
11. Russian Research Module (MRM2)
12. Columbus
13. Pressurized Mating Adapter
14. Kibo
15. Tranquility
16. Russian Research Modules (MRM 1) and
Multipurpose Laboratory Module (MLM,
not seen in photo)

10

11
16
8

6
3 5

12

13

2
4
15

14

13

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Space Station Operations and Mission Control

CSA Headquarters
ISS Program Management
MSS Operation Complex
CSA Payload Telescience Science Operations Center (PTOC)
Saint-Hubert, Quebec, Canada

Glenn Research Center

Telescience Support Center
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.

NASA Headquarters
Washington, DC, U.S.

Marshall Space Flight Center

Payload Operations and Integration Center (POIC)
Huntsville, Alabama, U.S.

Ames Research Center

Telescience Support Center

Kennedy Space Center

Shuttle Launch Control

Moffett Field, California, U.S.

Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S.

Johnson Space Center

ISS Program Management
ISS Mission Control Center (MCC)
ISS Training
Houston, Texas, U.S.

Ariane Launch Control

Kourou, French Guiana

14

ESA European Space Research

and Technology Centre (ESTEC)
ISS Program Management
Noordwijk, Netherlands

ESA Headquarters
Paris, France

TsUP (Moscow Mission Control Center)

Korolev, Russia

Gagarin Cosmonaut
Training Center (GCTC)
Star City, Russia

Roscosmos Headquarters
ISS Program Management
Moscow, Russia

European Astronaut Centre

Microgravity User Support Centre (MUSC)

JAXA Tsukuba Space Center

ISS Program Management
JEM Mission Control Center (JEMMC)
HTV Control Center (HTVCC)
Astronaut Training Facility (ATF)
Tsukuba, Japan

Russian Launch Control

Baikonur Cosmodrome,
Baikonur, Kazakhstan

Cologne, Germany

Tanegashima Space Center

H-II Launch Control
JAXA Headquarters
Tanegashima, Japan

Columbus Control Center

Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany

Tokyo, Japan

ATV Control Center (ATV-CC)

Toulouse, France

15

Build the Station Simulation:

Team Directions
Team A: Roscosmos
Materials:
parts A, M, L, and K

Zvezda

Assemble parts A, K, L, and M; learn about the Russian and

American parts of the Station that were the first to go up .
Refer to the Parts of the Station Fact Sheet and complete the
Team Worksheet . NOTE: The Harmony Node 2 was added
after the last Truss section, but creative license is taken to
add it to Team A . Components include the following:

H
K

F
K

1 . Functional Cargo Block (Zarya)Sunrise (A, K)

2 . Node 1 (Unity) (A)
3 . Service Module (Zvezda)Star (A)

Zarya

4 . Destiny laboratory (A)

5 . Remote Manipulator SystemCanadian Robotic Arm
6 . Quest Airlock (L, M)
7 . Russian Docking Compartment and Airlock
8 . Node 2 (Harmony) (A)

Unity

Destiny

L
Harmony

17

Team B: NASA
Materials:

Assemble parts C, D, I, and J . These are all American components . Refer

to the Parts of the Station Fact Sheet . There are many sections to the
Truss, each one completely filling the cargo bay of the Space Shuttle .
Sections were added on alternating sides to balance the spacecraft .
Solar Array Panels came collapsed like accordions and were
unfurled a bit at a time . Refer to the Parts of the Station Fact
Sheet and complete the Team Worksheet . Components
include the following:
1 . Zenith Truss (Z1) (C, D)
2 . Port 6 Truss (P6) (C, D)
3 . Starboard Zero Truss (S0) (C, D)
4 . Starboard 1 Truss (S1) (C, D)
5 . Port 1 Truss (P1) (C, D)
6 . Port 3/4 Truss (P3/4) (C, D)
7 . Port 5 Truss (P5) (C, D)
8 . Starboard 3/4 Truss (S3/4) (C, D)
9 . Starboard 5 Truss (S5) (C, D)
10 . Radiators (I)
11 . Solar Arrays ( J/I)

parts C, D, I, and J
ice pop sticks or shish kebab skewers

The Truss acts as a support structure for the radiators and solar arrays .
To Assemble the Truss:
1. Score along tick marks and roll/fold lengthwise,
slipping flaps C and D on the inside of the roll . Glue
or tape where the art lines up . Fold small square tabs
on the ends to enclose the Truss .

2. Butt the two ends marked with

together, matching up the black pie-shaped quarters . This forms one
long Truss . Glue or tape the ends together .

I
I

19

Adding Solar Arrays and Radiators:

1. Cut out the Radiators (I), then score and fold along
the lines where darker and lighter grays meet to make an
accordion fold . See the illustration below .
2. Glue and/or tape to the corresponding marks on the
back side of the Truss . Make sure that the printed side
faces outward .

I
3. Cut out the Solar Panels (J) . It is recommended that you do not cut out the blank
space between pairs because leaving
them together will help to maintain
their rigidity . To further help keep
them from sagging, wooden shish
kebab skewers or ice pop sticks
about 4 inches long may be
inserted through the middle
of the Truss . Make the holes
where the symbol
appears .

I
4. Fold the tabs up .

C
J

5. Fold the panels in

half so that one set of tabs
lines up with the other set .
Quartered rectangles indicate
where to glue and/or tape tabs
to attach the Solar Panels (J) to
both sides of the Truss . See the
illustration below .

Tabs should be level

with the top and bottom
of the Truss.

Insert skewer or ice pop stick.

21

23

25

Team C: ESA and JAXA

Materials:
parts B, E, F, G, H, and N
Assemble parts B, E, F, G, and H . The Space Shuttle docked at the pressurized mating adapter on part N
through 2010, when the Station was completed . Refer to the Parts of the Station Fact Sheet and complete the Team Worksheet . Components include the following:
1 . Columbus Laboratory (B)
2 . Kibo LaboratoryHope (B)
3 . Japanese Experiment Module Pressurized Module ( JEMPM) and Canadian Robotic Arm Dextre
(too small for model) (B)
4 . Russian Multipurpose Laboratory Module (F)
5 . Node 3 (Tranquility) and Cupola (E)

6 . Russian Research Module (G, H)

7 . Pressurized Mating Adapter (N)

MRM 1

1. Starting with the core group of modules (indicated by

the flap labeled A), roll lengthwise, slipping the flap
with the A printed on it on the inside of the roll, and
glue and/or tape the flap where the printed art lines up .
Fold the pointed end tabs in, as well as the small square
tabs on the module ends, and glue and/or tape them
shut to make an enclosed cylinder .
2. Follow the same procedure for modules E, F, G, and
H . L and M are rolled and taped together in the same
way as the Modules; then, tape the completed L and M
components together on the underscored letters on each
end to form the Airlock assembly .

3. For the Columbus and Kibo modules (B), follow the

same procedure . After attaching the round ends of the
cylinders, bend the outside experiment platforms (the
flat tabs with machinery on them) outward to be flat, on
the same plane as the modules . On the larger Kibo platform, use a paper clip or the edge of scissors to score
the three sides at the notches, and fold those down to
give the platform dimension .

Fold

Fold

Fold

Kibo

Columbus

Harmony

27

H
MRM 2

4. Slide the side opening of the Columbus and Kibo

modules over the end of the Harmony module so that
they are perpendicular, line up the hatches, and tape
and/or glue into place .

MLM

E
Tranquility

Columbus

Kibo

Combining Modules and Truss:

1. Match up the joining
spots on the bottom of the Truss and
the top of the Unity module on the longest of the module cylinders .
Match the black quarters together to get the correct orientation .

2. Use the nylon fishing line to hang the ISS from the ceiling .
MRM 2

H
Zvezda

F
MLM

Truss Bottom

Truss
Unity
Zarya

G
MRM 1

Airlock

Harmony

Unity Module

Destiny

Top View

B
Tranquility

29

Airlock attaches to
the side of Unity.

Station Simulation Worksheet

Team: _____________________
Members: ______________________________________________________________
1 . Name three interesting facts your team learned about your parts of the Station .

2 . Name two fun facts you learned about the Station from the Fun Station Facts sheet .

3 . What international meal would you choose? (Include a beverage, appetizer, main
course, and dessert .)

4 . You are a scientist wanting to learn more about how to design a better smoke
detector . Which Station experiment would you study?

5 . Which experiment offers the best opportunity to take pictures of land and oceans
on Earth?

6 . Where would astronauts go to see how well they are breathing after 6 months
in space?

7 . Of the modules built, which one is longest?

8 . Draw a flag of your nation .

9 . Where is the headquarters of your team located? (Mark the headquarters on a world map .)

10 . Who is on the Station now? What crew? What nations?

31

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Pre-/Post-Test
____

1 . How many international partners make up the International Space Station?

a . 3

____

b . 5

c . 18

2 . How often does the International Space Station go around the planet?
a . Every 90 minutes

____

b . Every 30 minutes

b . Lisbon

b . ESA

c . JAXA

d . NASA

b . The Harmony Node

c . The Robotic Arm

b . Kibo

c . Unity

d . Cupola

b . Two

c . Three

d . Four

9 . The European Modular Cultivation System allows astronauts to study

a . Plants

____

d . Quebec

8 . How many airlocks are there for astronauts use to go outside for spacewalks?
a . One

____

c . Noordwijk

7 . In which part of the Station do astronauts take the best pictures of Earth and its oceans?
a . Zvezda

____

c . 300 miles

6 . What part of the International Space Station did Canada contribute?

a . The Columbus Lab

____

b . 90 miles

5 . Which one is NOT a space agency?

a . BSA

____

d . Every 12 hours

4 . The headquarters of the European Space Agency is in which city?

a . Paris

____

c . Every 24 hours

3 . How far away does the International Space Station orbit?

a . Halfway to the Moon

____

d . 22

b . Human tissues

c . Combustion

d . Materials science

10 . The biggest contributor to the International Space Station is which partner?

a . Russia

b . United States

c . Europe

32

d . Japan

Extensions
Need more Station? Try these questions and activities.
All of the following questions can be answered by visiting http://www.nasa.gov/station .
Who Is On Board?
What crewmembers are on board? What is the expedition number? What are the
nationalities of the crew?

See the Station.

Find out when the Station is next visible from your backyard, then go view it .
Play the Station Spacewalk Game.
Find out what its like to be an astronaut on a spacewalk by playing the Station Spacewalk Game .
What was your mission, and what did you learn?

Check Out ISS Photosynth.

Complete the ISS Scavenger Hunt on the Photosynth site:
http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/photosynth/index.html
Use the Interactive Space Station Reference Guide.
Find out where the crew sleeps and where crewmembers exercise .
Discover Future Missions.
Find out what will be happening on the next mission to the Space Station . Name at least one
mission objective .

33

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Notes

34

Answer Keys
Worksheet
1 . Answers will vary . See Parts of the Station Fact Sheet .
2 . Answers will vary . See Fun Station Fact Sheet .
3 . Answers will vary . See International Space Food Fact Sheet .
4 . Study the Combustion Integration Rack experiments .
5 . Go take pictures from the Cupola attached to Tranquility Node .
6 . The Human Research Facility studies the long-term effects of space on humans .
7 . Zvezda is the longest module built .
8 . Answers will vary . See International Partners Fact Sheet .
9 . NASA Headquarters is located in Washington, DC . Roscosmos Headquarters is located in Moscow,
Russia . ESA Headquarters is in Paris, France . JAXA Headquarters is in Tokyo, Japan .
10 . To find out which Expedition crewmembers are on board the Station at any one time and their
nationalities, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/index.html.

Pre-/Post-Test

Extensions

1 . b (5)

Who Is On Board? Answers will vary .

2 . a (Every 90 minutes)

See the Station: Dates will vary .

3 . c (300 miles)

Play Station Spacewalk Game: There are seven games to try .

Explore the Station
Retrieve Your Tools
Unfurl the S6 Solar Arrays
Repair the Torn Solar Array
Bring the Auxiliary Antennas On Line
Install the S6 Truss
Conduct the Spheres Experiment

4 . a (Paris)
5 . a (BSA)
6 . c (The Robotic Arm)
7 . d (Cupola)
8 . b (Two)
9 . a (Plants)
10 . b (United States)

Scavenger Hunt
Reference Guide: Crew Sleeps in Russian Service Module and
U .S . Lab
Crew Exercises in Nodes 1 and 3
Future Missions: Answers will vary .

35

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Notes

36

Easy Ways To Obtain NASA Educational Materials

The NASA Office of Education works with NASA experts to promote education as an integral component of NASA research and development missions . These efforts result in innovative and informative
educational materials that engage student interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics .
NASA makes these resources available through the following ways:
View and download educational resources from NASAs Web site: http://www.nasa.gov/education
Visit a NASA Educator Resource Center (ERC): http://www.nasa.gov/education/ercn
Purchase materials from the Central Operation of Resources for Educators (CORE):
http://www.nasa.gov/education/core
Educational Multimedia
NASA offers educational multimedia such as the Do-It-Yourself Podcast activity for students, video
learning clips, Webcasts, monthly educational programming on NASA TV, and image galleries . View the
following pages:
Do-It-Yourself Podcast: http://www.nasa.gov/education/diypodcast
NASA eClips (video learning clips): http://www.nasa.gov/education/nasaeclips
NASAs Digital Learning Network (Webcasts): http://www.nasa.gov/education/dln
NASA Education TV Schedule: http://www.nasa.gov/education/tvschedule
Image Galleries: http://www.nasa.gov/education/galleries
Alphabetical Lists of NASA Topics for Education
The AZ lists offer a fast way to find information about NASA topics, education pages for missions, and
interesting pages for students .
View the following pages:
Educators: http://www.nasa.gov/education/edu_AZ
Students, 912: http://www.nasa.gov/education/stu912_AZ
Students, K8: http://www.nasa.gov/education/stuK8_AZ
Find NASA Teaching Materials
An online search tool helps educators locate materials for the classroom . Users may sort products by
grade level, type of product, or topics .
Types of Materials:
Bookmarks Classroom Activities Educator Guides Lesson Plans Lithographs (Images)
Play and Learn Posters Program Brochures Video Learning Clips Web Sites
http://www.nasa.gov/education/materials
NASA Education EXPRESS Mailing List
Sign up to receive e-mail announcements about NASA products, activities, workshops, events, and opportunities to bring NASA educational resources into your classroom: http://www.nasa.gov/education/express
NASAs Educator Resource Center Network
NASAs ERCs are located throughout the United States, in the U .S . Virgin Islands, and in Puerto Rico . ERCs
offer information about NASA and its educational resources and services . Personnel provide inservice and
preservice training using NASA curriculum support materials . ERC team members also collaborate with educational organizations to foster systemic initiatives at local, state, and regional levels . Contact a NASA ERC for
services in your area: http://www.nasa.gov/education/ercn
Central Operation of Resources for Educators
CORE serves as the worldwide distribution center for NASA-produced educational multimedia materials . For
a minimal charge, CORE provides curriculum support materials to educators who are not able to visit one of
NASAs ERCs or who are looking for large quantities of materials . Educators can use COREs online catalog
and mail-order service to purchase NASA education materials . Products include activity kits, bulletin boards,
CD-ROMS, DVDs, publications, slide programs, and videotapes . Closed-captioned and audio-descriptive versions of many materials are available: http://www.nasa.gov/education/core

37