The International Space Station (ISS) is a scientific research facility currently in orbit over the Earth. Construction began in 1998, and is a collaboration between sixteen countries. Although it is currently habitable, major components are still being added onto the ISS. Construction is expected to finish in 2010.

In July 2009, the population of humans in space reached a record high of 13 after the Space Shuttle Endeavour docked with the International Space Station. During the 11 day mission, work will be carried out to complete a Japanese-built research lab on the station.http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation-world/bal-te.briefs182jul18,0,7911714.story

NASA held an online contest to pick a new name for a room in the ISS in March 2009. The contest was hijacked by comedian Stephen Colbert, who urged his viewers to write-in "Colbert". "Colbert" got over 230,000 write-in votes; the next best entry was "Serenity", with 40,000 fewer votes. NASA will make the ultimate decision, but has promised to give top vote-getters "the most consideration".CNET: NASA naming contest falls for Colbert prank (March 23, 2009)

On March 12, 2009, the crew on the ISS prepared for an evacuation. A NASA spokesperson said the crew would enter the Soyuz capsule in preparation for a possible collision with space debris.BNONews: ISS Crew Enters Soyuz Capsule Amid Collision Risk (March 12, 2009) The crew was given the all clear to return to the ISS at 12:45 EDT.

On March 10, 2009, astronauts space-walked to complete a little maintenance before Wednesday's planned launch of the shuttle Discovery.MSNBC: Spacewalking astronauts tidy up, tackle chores (March 10, 2009)

The first spacewalk aboard Shuttle Discovery took place on March 19, 2009, when veteran astronaut Steve Swanson and former school teacher Richard Arnold were able to successfully install the last set of solar wings at the International Space Station, accomplishing Discovery's most important mission. At first the two astronauts struggled with some of the cable connections, but were eventually able to hook everything up properly.CBS News: Spacewalking Astronauts Mount Solar Wings (March 19, 2009)

The second spacewalk occurred on March 21, 2009, when the second school teacher on board, Joe Acaba, accompanied Steve Swanson on a seven hour excursion working alongside the International Space Station. The two men performed electrical work, installed a GPS antenna near the Japanese science module and attempted to assemble two platforms, which will be used to store spare parts and conduct external science experiments. The astronauts were unable to install the first platform due to a locking pin, so Mission Control postponed the installation for a future spacewalk.Houston Chronicle: To-do list keeps astronauts busy on 2nd spacewalk (March 22, 2009)

The final spacewalk is set for March 23 and will be performed by the two former teachers, Arnold and Acaba.The crew will then return home on March 25, marking the end of their eight-day-mission.Houston Chronicle: To-do list keeps astronauts busy on 2nd spacewalk (March 22, 2009)

1. United States
2. Russia
3. Canada
4. Japan
5. BrazilShuttlePressKit.com: The International Space Station
6. European Union
   1. Belgium
   2. Denmark
   3. France
   4. Germany
   5. Italy
   6. Netherlands
   7. Norway
   8. Spain
   9. Sweden
   10. Switzerland
   11. United KingdomPBS.org: Space Station - ISS Fact Sheet