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The International Space Station (ISS) is a long-term manned space station assembled from modules, the first launched in 1998. Long term occupation began in 2000 and continues as of 2024. The ISS's purpose is technology development and science, including astronomy. It follows earlier space-station efforts such as US's Skylab and Russia's Mir, the latter which was also modular and also made use of international cooperation, including NASA visits and transportation. The ISS has a normal crew of seven, who occupy it in expeditions that last three to six months. It orbits roughly 420 km above Earth surface with an orbital period of about 93 minutes. Current plans are to continue its operation into 2030 but to shut it down, then de-orbit it in 2031. Russia currently plans to withdraw from ISS participation in 2025. ISS astronomy efforts include: