International Space Station - Purpose

Purpose

According to the original Memorandum of Understanding between NASA and RSA, the International Space Station was intended to be a laboratory, observatory and factory in space. It was also planned to provide transportation, maintenance, and act as a staging base for possible future missions to the Moon, Mars and asteroids. In the 2010 United States National Space Policy, the ISS was given additional roles of serving commercial, diplomatic, and educational purposes.

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Famous quotes containing the word purpose:

    The chief want, in every State that I have been into, was a high and earnest purpose in its inhabitants. This alone draws out “the great resources” of Nature, and at last taxes her beyond her resources; for man naturally dies out of her.
    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

    Let our hearts, as subtle masters do,
    Stir up their servants to an act of rage
    And after seem to chide ‘em. This shall make
    Our purpose necessary, and not envious;
    Which so appearing to the common eyes,
    We shall be called purgers, not murderers.
    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

    ...Often the accurate answer to a usage question begins, “It depends.” And what it depends on most often is where you are, who you are, who your listeners or readers are, and what your purpose in speaking or writing is.
    Kenneth G. Wilson (b. 1923)