什么是太空站

载人的人工结构物，在固定的轨道上运行的基地，作长期天文观测、地球资源与环境研究、军事侦查，以及无重力状况下材料暨生物系统的研究。2001年时，在低地球轨道上安置有九座太空站，运作的时间长短不一。1971年苏联在地球轨道上设立世界第一座太空站礼炮1号（参阅salyut）作为科学研究之用。从1974年至1982年，另外五座礼炮太空站成功进入轨道，两座配备军事侦查。1986年苏联发射和平号太空站的核心舱是科学用太空站，之後十年又扩充加入额外的五个舱。美国在1973年第一次发射太空站，称为太空实验室计画，配备太阳观测平台与医学实验室。1998年美国与俄罗斯开始在轨道上建造国际太空站，综合实验室与居住舱，最後至少有十六个国家参与。2000年国际太空站接受第一名常驻的工作人员。

space station

Manned artificial structure designed to revolve in a fixed orbit as a long-term base for astronomical observations, study of the earth's resources and environment, military reconnaissance, and investigations of materials and biological systems in weightless conditions. As of 2001, nine space stations have been placed in a low earth orbit and occupied for varying lengths of time. The Soviet Union orbited the world's first space station, Salyut 1 (see Salyut), designed for scientific studies, in 1971. From 1974 to 1982 five more Salyut stations—two outfitted for military reconnaissance—were successfully placed in orbit and occupied. In 1986 the U.S.S.R. launched the core module of Mir, a scientific station that was expanded with five additional modules over the next decade. The U.S. orbited its first space station in 1973; called Skylab, it was equipped as a solar observatory and medical laboratory. In 1998 the U.S. and Russia began the in-orbit construction of the International Space Station (ISS), a complex of laboratory and habitat modules that would ultimately involve contributions from at least 16 countries. In 2000 the ISS received its first resident crew.