Russia 2000: Cover “SOYUZ TM-31 Expedition One ISS-2R - Start of permanent life on board” (TM31-ISS)

Assembly of the ISS (1998/2000)

The project to build a large orbital station was adopted on January 24, 1984, by President Reagan. From the outset, NASA solicited the participation of Europe, Japan, and Canada. The Freedom (later Alpha) station would serve as an observatory of the Earth and the Universe. It would specialize in scientific research and industrial development. The program underwent numerous upheavals, and it would not be until the year 2000 that crews would be able to reside there permanently.

In 1992, the U.S. Congress was preparing to guillotine the project following another cost overrun. Desperate, the Americans turned to the Russians, who were preparing to replace the Mir station. Thus was born a hybrid station project consisting of eleven Russian modules, to which eight components and the immense solar panel structure of the "Freedom" project were added. This new station was named the International Space Station "ISS."

October 31, 2000: Launch of Soyuz TM-31 "Expedition One ISS-2R" - First ISS occupant crew

The first occupant crew was launched on October 31, 2000, from Baikonur aboard Soyuz TM-31 (ISS Mission-2R).

Permanent life on the ISS truly began on November 2, 2000 (see No. TM31-ISS). Bill Shepherd (USA), Yuri Gidzenko, and Sergei Krikalev (Russia) remained on board for four months and were recovered by Discovery in February 2001.