A Legacy of Collaboration in Space Exploration

The Space Shuttle era marked a new chapter in international collaboration, beginning with Atlantis docking at the Russian MIR station and culminating in the construction of the International Space Station—a joint effort by 15 nations over 13 years. These missions advanced science, technology, and global unity, even amid the tragedies of Challenger and Columbia, which reminded the world of spaceflight’s inherent risks. Yet the program pressed forward, ending not with closure, but with a sense of continuation—laying the foundation for humanity’s ongoing journey into deep space. Journey to Space part 2