The International Space Station (ISS) shown above in these impressive five images, is a collaborative effort between the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan and Canada. The space station is divided into two main segments, namely the Russian Orbital Segment, and the US Orbital Segment. The ISS has eight docking and berthing ports for visiting spacecraft, and circles the Earth in roughly 93 minutes, thereby completing 15.5 orbits per day. Long-term occupancy of the space station began on 2 November 2000, and continues uninterrupted to this day. The station is expected to remain operational until the end of 2030, after which it will be de-orbited using the US Deorbit Vehicle.