| an orbiting manned structure that can be used for a variety of purposes, as to assemble or service satellites, refuel spacecraft, etc. |
A structure being assembled in space by an international partnership led by NASA. The space station will be a permanent habitat at which scientific and technological work can be carried out. Building a space station is considered the next step in the development and exploration of space, although there is controversy concerning its cost and the value of the research that will be carried out there.
