Most expensive man-made thing, costs more than Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani’s Rs 15000 crore Antilia, it works as…

From the Burj Khalifa to fighter jets, man has made several marvels due to our constant curiosity, which has helped us succeed in creating aircraft. But when we think of the costliest man-made wonders, architectural marvels like the Taj Mahal or massive skyscrapers come to mind. However, none of these are the costliest. In fact, the most expensive thing ever made by humankind is not even on Earth—it’s orbiting above us. The International Space Station (ISS) holds the title of the costliest thing made by humans, with an estimated cost exceeding USD 100 billion. It even holds a Guinness World Record.

As per Guinness World Records, International Space Station (ISS) is the “most expensive man-made object” because of its cost, which some sources place at over USD 150 billion. But why we put so much effort and money on ISS.

Originally conceived in the 1980s as NASA’s ‘Freedom’ space station, it became a global project when it was clear that no single country could manage such a large endeavour. The ISS was launched on November 20, 1998 and it was designed as a hub for research, exploration, and innovation in low-Earth orbit.

The International Space Station has a versatile design that helps it adapt to changing needs – in short, it can chop and change as required. This adaptability is what makes the ISS so practical. It’s a science lab, a space observatory, and even a training ground for future journeys to the Moon and Mars.

To keep things running smoothly, the ISS is equipped with essentials like life support and power management, not to mention high-tech communication networks. Of course, all this sophistication doesn’t come cheap. We’re talking millions every year just to keep it ticking over and improving. But for many, it’s a price worth paying for the continuous expansion of human space exploration.

10 Qualities of the International Space Station (ISS):

• International Collaboration: The ISS is a joint project involving space agencies from the U.S. (NASA), Russia (Roscosmos), Europe (ESA), Japan (JAXA), and Canada (CSA).
• Microgravity Environment: The ISS provides a unique microgravity environment that allows for scientific research in physics, biology, and medicine.
• Orbiting the Earth: The ISS orbits Earth at an average altitude of around 400 kilometers (250 miles), completing an orbit roughly every 90 minutes.
• Advanced Laboratory: It serves as a laboratory for various scientific experiments, particularly in fields like materials science, Earth observation, and human health in space.
• Modular Design: The station consists of several interconnected modules, including laboratories, living quarters, and solar panels, which can be expanded over time.
• Sustainable Living: The ISS is equipped with life support systems that recycle air, water, and waste, allowing astronauts to live and work for extended periods.
• Solar Power: The station is powered by large solar arrays that convert sunlight into electricity to support its operations.
• Global Research Hub: The ISS enables international research collaboration, offering researchers around the world access to its facilities for experiments in space.
• Astronaut Habitat: It provides astronauts with a living space, including sleeping quarters, a kitchen, and exercise equipment to maintain health during long missions.
• Gateway for Exploration: The ISS serves as a testbed for technologies and systems needed for future space exploration missions, such as missions to the Moon or Mars.