International Space Station project history

The International Space Station (ISS) is a project unrivalled in its scope and significance. Long-term ISS operation is an important example of effective international cooperation in space. 25 years ago, in November of 1998, the first ISS element -Functional Cargo Block Zarya was launched into orbit. This became a milestone event in the history of spaceflight both in our country and the whole world. The paper tells the story of inception and evolution of the ISS project (which marked its 30th anniversary in 2023), including the changes that occurred in the course of the space station assembly.