The International Space Station Expands Again
影像提供: STS-115 Shuttle Crew, NASA
Explanation:
The developing International Space Station (ISS) has changed its appearance again. Over the past few days, the Space Shuttle Atlantis visited the ISS and added pieces of the Integrated Truss Structure, including an impressively long array of solar panels. These expansive solar panels are visible extending from the lower right of the above image taken by the Shuttle Atlantis Crew after leaving the ISS to return to Earth. The world's foremost space outpost can be seen developing over the past several years by comparing the above image to past images. Also visible above are many different types of modules, a robotic arm, another impressive set of solar panels, and a supply ship. Construction began on the ISS in 1998.
說明:
發展中的國際太空站 (ISS)之外觀又改變了！在過去的數天之中，太空梭 亞特蘭提斯號造訪國際太空站，並帶來數個組合式支架結構的組件，其中包括一組很長的太空能板。在亞特蘭提斯太空梭離開國際太空站返回地球時，太空梭組員拍攝了上面這幅影像，其中可見到這個向影像右下角伸張的巨大太空能板。想知到這個地球最前方的太空哨站在過去發展的程度，最容易的方式是比較上面影像和先前的照片。上面影像還可以見到數個不同的模組艙、一組機械手臂、另一組令人印象深刻的太陽能板、以及補給品儲存艙。國際太空站的建構起始於1998年。
資料來源: Scientific American
Department of Physics, NCKU
