In this photo provided by NASA, the International Space Station is seen from the Space Shuttle Atlantis as the two spacecraft perform their relative separation on July 19, 2011. Above and to the right of the space station is the moon far in the distance. (NASA via AP)
The first crew to go to the International Space Station included (left to right) Sergei Krikalev, Bill Shepherd and Yuri Gidzenko. Courtesy: Nasa
The new International Space Station after the crew of the Space Shuttle Endeavour captured the Zarya Control Module, left, and mated it with the Unity Node, right, inside the Shuttle's payload bay. This photo was taken after Endeavour undocked from the space station on Dec. 13, 1998, for the return to Earth. Almost two years later, the first crew _ American Bill Shepherd and Russians Sergei Krikalev and Yuri Gidzenko _ blasted off from Kazakhstan on Oct. 31, 2000, en route to the space station. Thus began 20 years of international cooperation and a steady stream of crew from around the world. (NASA via AP)
The ISS as seen from the Space Shuttle Atlantis after the station and shuttle began their post-undocking relative separation on May 23, 2010. Twenty years after the first crew arrived, the space station has hosted 241 residents and grown from three cramped and humid rooms to a complex almost as long as a football field, with six sleeping compartments, three toilets, a domed lookout and three high-tech labs. (NASA via AP)
This Oct. 20, 2000 photo made available by NASA shows the International Space Station after separation of the Space Shuttle Discovery. Backdropped against the blackness of space, the Z1 Truss structure and its antenna, as well as the new pressurized mating adapter (PMA-3), are visible in the foreground. (NASA via AP)
On October 31, 2000, a cloud of smoke surrounds the Soyuz rocket seconds before liftoff from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakstan, carrying the first residents of the International Space Station. Two days later, U.S. astronaut Bill Shepherd, and Russian cosmonauts Sergei Krikalev, and Yuri Gidzenko arrived at the space station. (NASA via AP, File)
The Soyuz booster is transported to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakstan. Two days later, US astronaut Bill Shepherd, and Russian cosmonauts Sergei Krikalyov and Yuri Gidzenko blasted off to become the first residents on the International Space Station. (AP Photo/Mikhail Metzel, File)
The International Space Station continues its orbit around the Earth as seen from a Soyuz spacecraft departing with NASA astronauts Andrew Feustel and Ricky Arnold and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev, who had spent 197 days in space. From the first crew to the most recent, the No. 1 pastime aboard the station is gazing down at Earth. It takes just 90 minutes to circle the world, allowing crews to soak in a staggering 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets every day. (NASA/Roscosmos via AP)
Humans on Earth can sometimes spot the ISS because of its large solar panels. (NASA via AP)
A Progress supply ship arrives on Nov. 18, 2000 to link up to the International Space Station, bringing Expedition 1 commander Bill Shepherd, pilot Yuri P. Gidzenko and flight engineer Sergei K. Krikalev two tons of food, clothing, hardware and holiday gifts from their families. (NASA via AP)
In this photo provided by NASA, the International Space Station is seen from the Space Shuttle Atlantis as the two spacecraft perform their relative separation on July 19, 2011. Above and to the right of the space station is the moon far in the distance. (NASA via AP)
The first crew to go to the International Space Station included (left to right) Sergei Krikalev, Bill Shepherd and Yuri Gidzenko. Courtesy: Nasa
The new International Space Station after the crew of the Space Shuttle Endeavour captured the Zarya Control Module, left, and mated it with the Unity Node, right, inside the Shuttle's payload bay. This photo was taken after Endeavour undocked from the space station on Dec. 13, 1998, for the return to Earth. Almost two years later, the first crew _ American Bill Shepherd and Russians Sergei Krikalev and Yuri Gidzenko _ blasted off from Kazakhstan on Oct. 31, 2000, en route to the space station. Thus began 20 years of international cooperation and a steady stream of crew from around the world. (NASA via AP)
The ISS as seen from the Space Shuttle Atlantis after the station and shuttle began their post-undocking relative separation on May 23, 2010. Twenty years after the first crew arrived, the space station has hosted 241 residents and grown from three cramped and humid rooms to a complex almost as long as a football field, with six sleeping compartments, three toilets, a domed lookout and three high-tech labs. (NASA via AP)
This Oct. 20, 2000 photo made available by NASA shows the International Space Station after separation of the Space Shuttle Discovery. Backdropped against the blackness of space, the Z1 Truss structure and its antenna, as well as the new pressurized mating adapter (PMA-3), are visible in the foreground. (NASA via AP)
On October 31, 2000, a cloud of smoke surrounds the Soyuz rocket seconds before liftoff from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakstan, carrying the first residents of the International Space Station. Two days later, U.S. astronaut Bill Shepherd, and Russian cosmonauts Sergei Krikalev, and Yuri Gidzenko arrived at the space station. (NASA via AP, File)
The Soyuz booster is transported to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakstan. Two days later, US astronaut Bill Shepherd, and Russian cosmonauts Sergei Krikalyov and Yuri Gidzenko blasted off to become the first residents on the International Space Station. (AP Photo/Mikhail Metzel, File)
The International Space Station continues its orbit around the Earth as seen from a Soyuz spacecraft departing with NASA astronauts Andrew Feustel and Ricky Arnold and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev, who had spent 197 days in space. From the first crew to the most recent, the No. 1 pastime aboard the station is gazing down at Earth. It takes just 90 minutes to circle the world, allowing crews to soak in a staggering 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets every day. (NASA/Roscosmos via AP)
Humans on Earth can sometimes spot the ISS because of its large solar panels. (NASA via AP)
A Progress supply ship arrives on Nov. 18, 2000 to link up to the International Space Station, bringing Expedition 1 commander Bill Shepherd, pilot Yuri P. Gidzenko and flight engineer Sergei K. Krikalev two tons of food, clothing, hardware and holiday gifts from their families. (NASA via AP)
In this photo provided by NASA, the International Space Station is seen from the Space Shuttle Atlantis as the two spacecraft perform their relative separation on July 19, 2011. Above and to the right of the space station is the moon far in the distance. (NASA via AP)
