STS098-713a-019 (16 February 2001) --- The International Space Station is backdropped over clouds, water and land in South America. South central Chile shows up at bottom of the frame. Just below the Destiny laboratory, the Chacao Channel separates the large island of Chiloe from the mainland and connects the Gulf of Coronados on the Pacific side with the Gulf of Ancud southwest of the city of Puerto Montt. The crews of the Space Shuttle Atlantis and the International Space Station parted company at 8:06 a.m. (CST), February 16, as astronaut Mark L. Polansky, pilot, flew the shuttle halfway around the station and its new Destiny laboratory before moving off.

ISS004-E-10047 (16 April 2002) --- Astronaut Ellen Ochoa, STS-110 mission specialist, looks through the Earth observation window in the Destiny laboratory on the International Space Station (ISS). Portions of the space shuttle Atlantis and the Canadarm2 are visible through the window.

ISS004-E-10046 (16 April 2002) --- Astronaut Rex J. Walheim, STS-110 mission specialist, looks through the Earth observation window in the Destiny laboratory on the International Space Station (ISS). Portions of the Space Shuttle Atlantis and the Canadarm2 are visible through the window.

ISS004-E-10043 (15 April 2002) --- Astronaut Michael J. Bloomfield, STS-110 mission commander, looks through the Earth observation window in the Destiny laboratory on the International Space Station (ISS). Portions of the Space Shuttle Atlantis and the Canadarm2 are visible through the window.

Astronaut Michael J. Bloomfield, STS-110 mission commander, looks through the Earth observation window in the Destiny laboratory aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The STS-110 mission prepared the ISS for future spacewalks by installing and outfitting the S0 (S-zero) truss and the Mobile Transporter. The 43-foot-long S0 Truss, weighing in at 27,000 pounds, was the first of 9 segments that will make up the Station's external framework that will eventually stretch 356 feet (109 meters), or approximately the length of a football field. This central truss segment also includes a flatcar called the Mobile Transporter and rails that will become the first "space railroad," which will allow the Station's robotic arm to travel up and down the finished truss for future assembly and maintenance. The completed truss structure will hold solar arrays and radiators to provide power and cooling for additional international research laboratories from Japan and Europe that will be attached to the Station. Milestones of the STS-110 mission included the first time the ISS robotic arm was used to maneuver spacewalkers around the Station and marked the first time all spacewalks were based out of the Station's Quest Airlock. It was also the first Shuttle to use three Block II Main Engines. The Space Shuttle Orbiter Atlantis, STS-110 mission, was launched April 8, 2002 and returned to Earth April 19, 2002.

ISS039-S-001 (April 2013) --- Increment 39 of the International Space Station Program marks the 15th year of operation since the start of the space laboratory assembly. Today, the U.S., Russia, Japan, Canada and the European Space Agency are partnering in the operation of the largest ever orbital outpost managed by humankind. The names of the six crew members are depicted in their native languages. For Expedition 39, the Soyuz spacecraft serves as transport vehicle for the crew members to and from the station. During this expedition, the ISS will serve as a platform for scientific research, Earth and astronomical observation, education, as well as a stage for the development of new technologies used for the exploration beyond low Earth orbit. The star above the complex signifies human space exploration towards new frontiers. The crew members added these words: "The crew of Expedition 39 is proud to serve the international community in furthering our scientific knowledge and in expanding human presence in space." Photo credit: NASA The NASA insignia design for shuttle and space station flights is reserved for use by the astronauts and for other official use as the NASA Administrator may authorize. Public availability has been approved only in the form of illustrations by the various news media. When and if there is any change in this policy, which is not anticipated, it will be publicly announced.