Who Owns the International Space Station (ISS)?

Discover the ownership structure of the ISS and learn about the five key space agencies involved.

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The International Space Station (ISS) is primarily owned by five space agencies: NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), ESA (Europe), JAXA (Japan), and CSA (Canada). NASA holds the largest share of ownership, managing the most substantial portion of station modules and operating costs.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What countries are involved in owning the ISS? The ISS is owned by the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada through their respective space agencies.
  2. How does NASA contribute to the ISS? NASA manages the majority of the ISS modules and covers the largest share of its operating costs.
  3. What is the purpose of the International Space Station? The ISS serves as a microgravity research laboratory where scientific research is conducted in astrobiology, astronomy, meteorology, and other fields.
  4. Is the ISS open to private companies? Yes, NASA has opened the ISS to private companies for commercial use, including research and tourism.