On 14 August the European Space Agency (ESA) reported that Bhutan’s first ever satellite along with others from Malaysia and the Philippines were released into their respective orbits from the International Space Station on 10 August.

While the launch was a first for Bhutan, it was just another day on the International Space Station that was built and is maintained by thousands of people across the globe.

Launched in 1998, the Space Station is the culmination of years of international planning and partnership between the United States, Canada, Japan, Russia, and participating European countries. In its 20 years of operation the Space Station has hosted many international flight crews, launched global operations and conducted research from the world-wide scientific community. It is not only a technological achievement but a successful testament to partnership across borders.