The International Space Station (ISS) has been a cornerstone of human space exploration since its inception, serving as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory. On April 28, 2002, the ISS was in a critical phase of its assembly and operational development. This article provides an overview of the ISS's status on that date, highlighting its orbital parameters, structural configuration, and ongoing missions.

Orbital Parameters

As of April 28, 2002, the ISS was orbiting Earth with the following parameters:

  • Mean Altitude: 392.6 km
  • Apogee (highest point): 397.6 km
  • Perigee (lowest point): 387.7 km
  • Orbital Period: 92.4 minutes
  • Inclination to Equator: 51.64 degrees
  • Eccentricity: 0.000731
  • Orbits per 24-hour day: 15.58
  • Altitude Decrease in Last 24 Hours: 225 meters (mean)
  • Solar Beta Angle: -35 degrees (magnitude decreasing)
  • Revolutions since FGB/Zarya launch (Nov. ’98): 19,627

The ISS's flight attitude on this date was Local Vertical/Local Horizontal (LVLH), with the z-axis in the local vertical and the x-axis in the velocity vector, characterized by yaw: -10 degrees, pitch: -9 degrees, and roll: 0 degrees. This orientation is commonly used to maintain a stable position relative to Earth. ([](

Structural Configuration

By April 2002, the ISS had undergone significant expansion and assembly. Key modules and components included:

  • Zarya (Functional Cargo Block): Launched on November 20, 1998, Zarya was the first module of the ISS, providing propulsion and power.
  • Unity (Node 1): Launched on December 4, 1998, Unity served as a connecting passageway between modules.
  • Destiny Laboratory Module: Installed during the STS-110 mission in April 2002, Destiny provided a U.S. laboratory for scientific research. ([en.wikipedia.org](
  • Canadarm2 (SSRMS): Delivered during the STS-100 mission in April 2001, this robotic arm was essential for assembly and maintenance tasks. ([en.wikipedia.org](

These components were integral to the ISS's functionality, supporting a wide range of scientific experiments and international collaboration.

Ongoing Missions and Operations

During this period, the ISS was actively engaged in various missions and operations:

  • STS-110 Mission: Launched on April 8, 2002, this Space Shuttle mission focused on installing the S0 Truss segment, a critical component of the ISS's structural framework. The mission concluded on April 19, 2002. ([en.wikipedia.org](
  • Soyuz TM-34 Mission: Launched on April 25, 2002, this Russian mission transported two cosmonauts and a South African space tourist, Mark Shuttleworth, to the ISS. The crew conducted various scientific experiments before returning on November 9, 2002. ([en.wikipedia.org](

These missions were part of the continuous effort to expand the ISS's capabilities and enhance its role in advancing human space exploration.

Conclusion

On April 28, 2002, the International Space Station was a dynamic and evolving platform, reflecting the collaborative efforts of multiple nations. Its orbital parameters, structural configuration, and ongoing missions underscored its significance in advancing scientific knowledge and international cooperation in space. The ISS's status on this date marked a pivotal moment in its development, setting the stage for future achievements in space exploration.

Sources

  • Editor — ISS On-Orbit Status 28 Apr 2002 —
  • Wikipedia Contributors — STS-110 —
  • Wikipedia Contributors — Soyuz TM-34 —