The International Space Station is approximately 220 miles (354 km) from earth at any given time. The distance may change slightly due to drag from the atmosphere, but mainly, the International Space Station orbits the earth at this distance.

The relatively close distance, about the same as four and a half hours of travel on a highway, makes it possible for the continued assembly of parts of the Space Station. The Space Station completely orbits the earth in about 92 minutes. That is approximately 5700 trips around the earth per year. So from the time of launching in November 1998 to November 2006, the Space Station had circled the Earth over 40,000 times.

Since the launch of the first section of the Space Station, a cargo block and a proton rocket, there have been numerous expeditions to the Space Station. By 2006, 14 missions had been attempted in order to continue assembly. Projected completion of the Space Station is 2010.

As of 2006 three astronauts, or cosmonauts, have staffed the Space Station. Ultimately, it is expected that as many as six people may staff the space station. These are certainly not generous living conditions, just under 1400 square feet (425 square meters). The view is great, but the backyard is slightly dangerous to play in without safety precautions.

Expectations for readiness and for total costs have not been in keeping with actual results. The initial completion date of the Space Station was in 2005. Unfortunately, setbacks like the Columbia flight disaster of 2003, in which all seven astronauts aboard were killed, have delayed the completion. As well, problems with assembly on the ground have interfered with total completion of the Space Station.

The total cost of the Space Station when completed is likely to exceed 100 billion dollars. Many feel the expense is justified by the scientific gains that may be achieved. Others look to the cost as incidental compared to the projected benefits of good relationship between countries like Russia and the US that truly mark the end of the Cold War.