The International Space Station (ISS) programme officially got off the ground on 20 November when Russia's Zarya control module (pictured) was launched successfully into orbit aboard a Proton booster from Baikonur. Zarya will await the launch of STS 88/Endeavour on 3 December, carrying the US Node 1, Unity, to become the first attachment. Two Shuttle ISS missions will follow in the first half of 1999, followed by Russia's Service Module in August. There will be two further Shuttle missions before the end of 1999. The first operational crew to inhabit the station will be launched in January 2000 at the earliest. About 44 Shuttle and Russian booster missions will be needed to complete assembly by 2004.
Source: Flight International
