ˌInternational ˈSpace ˌStation BrE AmE
a space station that was built by scientists from 16 different countries, including the US, Russia, Canada, Japan, Brazil, and the 11 countries of the European Space Agency. The first two parts of the station went into space in 1998, and the first people arrived at the station in 2000. People go to the station either in Russian Soyuz ↑ rocket s or in the US ↑ space shuttle . The station is mainly used for scientific experiments. It is 250 miles above the Earth.