The International Space Station (ISS) is the largest scientific and technological project ever undertaken. It will take several years and cost tens of billions of dollars to complete. BBC News Online is watching its progress.

With the third mission to the ISS succefully completed, the space shuttle Discovery lands.

Shuttle Discovery makes night landing (6 June 1999)

Significant events in the construction of the ISS.

First shuttle docking (29 May, 1999)
Perfect launch for third mission (27 May, 1999)
Hearing lost in space (14 April, 1999)
New test for ISS 'lifeboat' (5 February, 1999)

ISS lights come on (10 December, 1998)
Space station comes alive (7 December, 1998)
Unity and Zarya are one (7 December, 1998)
See how the modules were locked together

Zarya in orbit (20 November, 1998)
Space Station era dawns (19 November, 1999)

The world's future in space
Sixteen countries are involved in putting the International Space Station into orbit, making it the world's largest international scientific and technological project.

Over budget and behind schedule
It has been called the space project which will change the course of human history, but the International Space Station has been plagued by financial and technical problems.

High-tech research laboratory
From communications and telerobotics systems to cardiac research and an improved understanding of combustion, the International Space Station will be at the centre of new scientific and medical developments.

A worldwide technical collaboration
The International Space Station is a truly international collaboration with 16 countries involved in getting it into space.

ISS timeline
The International Space Station has survived the Cold War and is set to become a symbol of world co-operation in the next millennium.