Clearly visible with the naked eye in the night sky, the expansive International Space Station is a working laboratory orbiting 240 statute miles (386.24 kilometers) above the Earth traveling at 17,500 miles per hour (32,410 kilometers per hour) and is home to an international crew.

It is the most complex scientific and technological endeavor ever undertaken, involving support from five space agencies representing 16 nations. Once completed, this research outpost in space will include contributions from the U.S., Canada, Japan, Russia, Brazil, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

As a research outpost, the station is a test bed for future technologies and a research laboratory for new, advanced industrial materials, communications technology, medical research, and much more. However, none of this research would be possible without Goddard Space Flight Center's expertise. ESC is managing the Express Logistic Carriers Project that will be building 4 carriers to be installed on the International Space Station:

• Express Logistics Carrier
  The Expedite the Processing of Experiments to the Space Station (ExPRESS) Logistics Carrier (ELC) is an un-pressurized attached payload project for the International Space Station (ISS) that provides mechanical mounting surfaces, electrical power, and command and data handling services for science experiments on the ISS. 
  
  The ELCs have a deck size of about 14 feet by 16 feet and spans the width of the space shuttle's payload bay. Each one is capable of providing scientists with a platform and infrastructure to deploy experiments in the vacuum of space without requiring a separate dedicated Earth-orbiting satellite. Each carrier is also capable of carrying 10,000 lbs. to orbit and will also serve as parking fixtures for spare ISS hardware that can be retrieved when needed.

    For more information about ELC, click here.