Artist's impression of the completed ISS

The International Space Station as it will appear on completion of assembly in 2003. With a total mass of about 400 tonnes, habitable volume of 1300 cubic metres and length of 108 metres, it will accommodate a permanent crew of 6-7 in six laboratories (including ESA's Columbus Laboratory at front left). ESA will also contribute the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV, docked at the rear to Russia's Service Module), launched on its large Ariane-5 to deliver up to 9 tonnes of cargo each time. ATV's engines will also reboost the ISS to combat orbital decay. Other European contributions include connecting Nodes, the European Robotic Arm (ERA, seen attached to the top tower), and the Data Management System for the Russian Service Module. Status [Image Date: 1998/07] [98.09.019-008]