What can the International Space Station tell us about the future of engineering

Recently, while listening to Radio 2, I had the pleasure of hearing the QI Elves discuss the International Space Station (ISS). They described it as essentially a 6-bedroom house floating in space. This got me thinking about the role of technology in space and its potential significance for engineering in the future and how we could see aspects of this in our homes in years to come.

It is not often that engineers look outside of the planetary boundaries of Earth. However, when they do venture beyond our planet, it offers a unique challenge and an insight into the potential technologies of our everyday lives in the future. The construction of the ISS, spanning a decade, is a less well-known but endlessly fascinating story. Originally conceptualised by the US government in the 1950s at the beginning of the Cold War Space Race, the ISS that we know today was officially given approval by the Reagan administration in 1984.

Components for it were constructed in locations worldwide, from Canada to Japan, and were then transported into space by American and Russian rockets. A total of 36 separate missions were needed to deliver the parts, which were then assembled by a team of astronauts and advanced robots, 400km above the earth. This method of construction is reminiscent of prefabrication, or offsite construction, which became popular after World War 2 to rapidly build much needed houses. It is now often used in sectors like student accommodation as it reduces construction time and cost. Whilst nowhere near as high-tech as the prefabrication of the ISS, it is constantly improving, with prefabricated bathrooms and even entire flats now being produced in factories and transported to building sites.

Further advancements in technology have been needed for the ISS to function more effectively and need fewer supply deliveries, such as improving the efficiency of their Water Recovery System. It now recovers 98% of the water that they use, including from their breath, sweat and even urine! With the increasing prominence of climate change, recycling water is vital for the future of our planet, and it is easy to see how technology, like the Water Recovery System, could trickle down to be a part of our everyday life in the future.

The International Space Station is an endlessly interesting subject to research. I’d definitely recommend taking a look on NASA’s website whether it be to watch a spacewalk, or find out about the revolutionary research they undertake onboard.