The International Space Station (ISS) reached a major milestone in early November 2025 as it celebrated 25 years of uninterrupted human presence in space. Since November 2, 2000, astronauts from different countries have lived and worked aboard the station, which orbits Earth about 400 kilometers above the surface. The first long-term crew, composed of NASA’s Bill Shepherd and Russia’s Sergei Krikalev and Yuri Gidzenko, began the mission that started a new era of international collaboration. The ISS has hosted more than 290 visitors from 26 nations, including scientists, engineers, and filmmakers. This long-term mission has become a remarkable example of teamwork and technological progress, showing humanity’s resilience and growing skill in space exploration.

Scientific research conducted aboard the ISS has been pivotal in understanding how humans and materials respond to space conditions. Experiments have included studies on plant growth, medical health, and materials under microgravity. NASA’s twin study on astronauts Scott and Mark Kelly gave insightful results about how the human body adapts to long stays in orbit. Despite challenges such as space debris and equipment maintenance, the ISS continues to operate efficiently. Plans for the future include transitioning to privately built stations by companies such as Axiom Space, ensuring that the legacy of international cooperation in space remains enduring and beneficial for future exploration.