hamburger
×
Digit General Insurance Logo
Powered By Digit
Switch to Digit Insurance

Quick Claim Process

Affordable Premium

What is a Space Station & How Many Space Stations are there?

What is a Space Station?

Evolution of Space Stations: From Early Concept to Modern-day Habitat

List of Pioneering Space Stations

Space Station Country Launch Date Days or Years of Operation Achievements
Salyut 1 Soviet Union April 19, 1971 Approximately 175 days Salyut 1 was the world’s first space station. It hosted a crew for a record-setting 24-day mission. Tragically, the crew died due to depressurization during reentry into Earth’s atmosphere.
Salyut 2 Soviet Union April 3, 1973 Within two weeks of launch, it lost altitude control and depressurized, rendering it unusable. -
Skylab United States May 14, 1973 Approximately 6 years Skylab was America’s first space station. It orbited the Earth almost 3,000 times before intentionally crashing into the Pacific Ocean.
Salyut 3 Soviet Union June 25, 1974 Operational for about 8 months Salyut 3 was a military space station with reconnaissance capabilities.
Salyut 4 Soviet Union December 26, 1974 Operational for about 7 months Primarily used for scientific purposes.
Salyut 5 Soviet Union June 22, 1976 Operational for about 1 year Another military space station in the Salyut series.
Salyut 6 Soviet Union September 29, 1977 Operational for about 10 years An advanced design with improved living quarters and a refuelling system.
Salyut 7 Soviet Union April 19, 1982 Operational for about 8 years Continued the legacy of Soviet space stations with scientific research and crewed missions.
Mir Soviet Union (later Russia) February 20, 1986 Operational for about 15 years Mir was the first modular space station. It paved the way for the International Space Station (ISS)
International Space Station (ISS) Collaboration between multiple countries, including the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada November 20, 1998 Ongoing since 1998 The ISS is a multinational research laboratory in low Earth orbit, supporting scientific research, technology development, and international cooperation.
Tiangong 1 China September 29, 2011 Operational for about 5 years Tiangong 1 was China’s first space station module, serving as a precursor to larger space stations.
Tiangong 2 China September 15, 2016 Operational for about 3 years Tiangong 2 continued China’s progress in space station development and hosted crewed missions and experiments.

Types of Space Stations

How does a Space Station Work?

Facts and Functions of a Space Station

The Future Space Station Programs

FAQs about Space Stations