Today humanity marks 15 years of continuous human presence on the International Space Station (ISS).
The US space agency and its global partners, as well as six astronauts on the orbital station, will solemnly celebrate this small but significant anniversary.
The American-Russian-Japanese crew of MS Sa announced that they will prepare a special dinner in this honor.
Station Commander Scott Kelly, who will spend a year in space, said the orbiting laboratory is important because it advances long-term research programs. For him and his crew, the MSS is a test of sorts for the technology necessary to travel to Mars.
Since the entry of the first crew on November 2, 2000, 220 astronauts from 17 countries have served on the MSS.
NASA stated that more than 26.500 meals have been served so far on the orbital station, which has expanded from the original three to as many as 13 rooms.
Bonus video:
