NASA and its astronauts are commemorating the 25th anniversary of the International Space Station (ISS) being in orbit.

To mark the occasion, the federal space agency organized a live conversation on Wednesday afternoon between the Expedition 70 crew and NASA Associate Administrator Robert Cabana and Joel Montalbano, the space station program manager.

While the ISS officially launched on Nov. 25, 1998, a significant milestone occurred on Dec. 6 of the same year when one of the initial components, Unity, was attached to the pre-existing Zarya module.

Unity served as the link connecting the American and Russian segments of the station and currently serves as the communal dining area for the crew, ABC News reported.

Robert Cabana, who commanded the mission that joined the two modules, was also the first American to enter the ISS.

Over the years, the station has expanded to the size of an American football field, featuring six sleeping quarters, two bathrooms, a gym, and various spaces for scientific research.

The ISS has maintained continuous occupation for over 23 years, serving as a platform for testing technologies, conducting scientific experiments, and developing the skills necessary for exploration beyond Earth, according to NASA.

The station has hosted 273 individuals from 21 countries and facilitated over 3,300 investigations to date.

Written by B.C. Begley

*The following content has been automatically generated by an AI system and should be used for informational purposes only. Any actions taken based on this content are at your own risk. We recommend seeking qualified expertise or conducting further research to validate and supplement the information provided.