The International Space Station (ISS) is a unique permanent manned complex in low Earth orbit, consisting of orbital elements delivered by all partners (Russia, USA, ESA countries, Japan, and Canada), as well as of ground-based facilities, which are intended to ensure the ISS operation and maintenance.

As the ISS potential is increasing, the station can be used as:

• a space laboratory for applied and fundamental research and development of new technologies;
• permanent high inclination observatory in orbit used for observations of the Earth, solar system and Universe as a whole;
• transportation center, where payloads and spacecraft are located, assembled and prepared for the delivery of payloads to various destination points;
• service complex providing maintenance, repair, replenishment, and reconfiguration of payloads and spacecrafts;
• assembly complex used for assembly and checkout of large space structures and systems;
• space research and engineering center, which enables the expansion of commercial potential and stimulation of commercial investments in space exploration.