The Orbital Perspective

CONCLUSION

A Web of Trust

Like the U.S.–Russian space program that led up to it, the planning and construction of the International Space Station required the partners involved to overcome some unique challenges. The collaboration brought together fifteen nations with different bureaucratic and political processes and differing national objectives and interests, geographically separated on three continents. Many key personnel didn’t share a common language or culture, and there were complexities related to intellectual property issues. Because almost all space technology has a potential dual military use, the partners also had to work within the overly restrictive mandates of the United States’ International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). ...