International Space Station (ISS) Statistics, History and Facts (2021)



By:    Last updated: July 19th, 2021

Here are a few of the most interesting International Space Station (ISS) statistics and facts I was able to dig up in my internet travels. As always, be sure to check back in the future as I will be updating this post as new and updated stats become available.

International Space Station (ISS) Facts and Statistics

Year the ISS launched:

1998 (it has been continuously occupied since November 2000)

Size of the ISS:

239.4 ft L x 357.5 ft W

Weight of the ISS:

925,335 lbs

Number of countries that collaborated on the ISS:

15 countries

Number of spacewalks at the ISS to date:

227 spacewalks

Last updated 5/31/20

First people to spacewalk at the ISS:

Jerry Ross and James Newman (12/7/98)

Number of people that have visited the ISS:

240 people from 19 countries

Last updated 5/30/20

Breakdown of ISS visitors by geography:

  • US: 151 individuals
  • Russia: 48 individuals
  • Japan: 9 individuals
  • Canada: 8 individuals
  • Italy: 5 individuals
  • France: 4 individuals
  • Germany: 3 individuals
  • Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden, Brazil, Denmark, Kazakhstan, Spain, UK, Malaysia, South Africa, South Korea and UAE: 1 individual each

Last updated 5/30/20 (source)

Number of spacecraft that can be connected to the ISS at the same time

6 spacecraft

Last updated 5/31/20

Astronaut with the longest single stay at the ISS:

Scott Kelly (340 days) 

Last updated 5/31/20

Astronaut with the longest cumulative stay at the ISS:

Peggy Whitson (665 days) 

Last updated 5/31/20

Please note that some of these numbers are easier to find than others. These International Space Station (ISS) stats are based on news reports and not official company tallies. No information contained on DMR should be relied upon to make investment decisions. Basically, this is the best I can find and I don’t guarantee anything to be 100%.