The World’s Coolest Office? It’s in Outer Space, and Fewer Than 300 People Have Ever Been Inside

This is where the astronauts get the best views of Earth and celestial objects. Two astronauts can fit inside the dome-shaped module as they take in spectacular panoramic views and observe operations on the outside.

When NASA astronaut Scott Kelly spent 340 days in space, a lot of his time was spent here performing experiments and studies. Also known as Destiny, this is the primary research laboratory for the U.S.

The galley table is a recent addition to ISS. Velcro and bungee cords keep food items from floating away. Slide bolts expand the table to make it a full-sized dinner table that seats six people. “We don’t have a lot of green things on space stations, so it’s a nice addition,” says NASA astronaut Tim Kopra.

In the Columbus Research Laboratory, astronauts conduct thousands of experiments in life sciences, materials sciences, fluid physics and other research in a weightless environment not possible on Earth.

Space is risky business. That’s why there’s crew member life support systems on board. This enclosure provides atmospheric containment, thermal insulation and cooling. It also protects from solar radiation and micrometeoroid and orbital debris.

It might not look like much, but the Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) simulates simulate free-weight exercises in normal gravity. On average astronauts exercise two hours per day, and not just to pass the time. Without this much exercise, astronauts lose up to 15% of muscle volume while on board the ISS.

The large bay windows inside the Cupola allows the crew to see outside. This portion of the ISS houses one of the space station’s two robotic workstations used by astronauts to manipulate a large robotic arm for cargo vehicles and assisting astronauts during spacewalks.