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The first module, Zarya, was launched in 1998. It formed the foundation of the station's power, propulsion, and life support systems. Soon after, the Unity module followed, serving as the central hub where international elements would converge. However, integration brought its challenges—primarily adapting different docking mechanisms between Soviet and American designs.
Despite the technical hurdles, the construction proceeded. By October 2000, the ISS welcomed its first crew, comprising an American and two Russians, marking a historic moment in joint human exploration.