The manned satellite has been inhabited by 220 people from 17 countries, with the first Briton due in December

The International Space Station – the manned satellite that constantly circles the Earth in low orbit – clocked up 15 years of continuous occupation on Monday.

Since the first permanent crew moved in on 2 November 2000, 220 people representing 17 countries have come and gone. Most of those visitors have been American – a result of all the space shuttle flights that were needed to deliver station pieces.

15 years of the International Space Station – in pictures Read more

Russia has sent the second largest number of people, with Canada and Japan tied for third. At least one American and one Russian have been on board at all times. Tim Peake is set to become the first British visitor next month. He will spend six months on board carrying out experiments.

The ISS orbits 240 miles above the planet at 17,150mph and can often be seen by the naked eye. The complex has grown from three to 13 rooms and the current structure has a mass of nearly 450 tonnes and as much pressurised volume as a Boeing 747. More than 26,500 meals have been served, 1,760 experiments carried out and 189 spacewalks undertaken, according to Nasa.

The most important experiment, according to Commander Scott Kelly, was about keeping humans alive in space. His one-year mission with Russian Mikhail Kornienko is due to end in March. No American has ever spent a year in space; the Russians have, but it was decades ago on the former Mir station.

The 189 spacewalks have been undertaken to build and maintain the outpost. The 190th will take place on Friday.

Nasa administrator Charles Bolden called the 15-year milestone “a remarkable moment 5,478 days in the making”. He added: “It has taught us about what’s possible when tens of thousands of people across 15 countries collaborate to advance shared goals.”

Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui said the ISS had a unique culture given the nationalities, with crew members respecting one other. If this were practised at home, he noted, “Earth will be a much better place”.