Furthering Exploration - International Space Station Experience

The International Space Station (ISS) is instrumental to the exploration of space. As we expand human pre sence from low Earth orbit, in the ne xt decade to the M oon, and later, to Mars and beyond, we will face challenges in management; integration; remote, long duration, assembly and maintenance operations; science and engineering; and international culture a nd relationships. The ISS Program is providing critical insight and amass ing new knowledge in all of these areas . Use of the expertise gained in the ISS Program can reduce risk s in the human exploration of space . This paper discusses the applicability of the ISS experience to the Vision for Space Exploration (VSE) , specifically in the areas of crew operations, spacecraft systems operations, and crew -system interface operations .