Humans have lived in space longer than the iPod has existed

Humans have lived aboard the International Space Station for 15 years. (credit: NASA)

As of Monday morning humans have lived consecutively in space for 15 years. That's longer than the iPod has existed and before Americans first learned of hanging chads during the contentious election between Al Gore and George W. Bush. During that time more than 220 astronauts and cosmonauts from 17 countries have visited and lived on the $140 billion International Space Station.

On the crystal anniversary of the station, which should fly until 2028, the six inhabitants on board didn’t exchange gifts, but they did take a few moments to reflect on the accomplishment. “For me, the most important experiment is keeping humans alive for a long period of time,” said NASA astronaut Scott Kelly. “All of this is something we’re going to need to explore deeper into space for a longer period of time.”

Keeping the football-field sized laboratory, which has an annual budget of about $3 billion, flying hasn’t always been smooth sailing. In 2007, the three primary flight computers failed, leaving astronauts without control of its thrusters, oxygen generators, carbon dioxide scrubbers, and other environmental control systems. After several frantic hours they were able to reboot the system.

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