Zarya, officially known as the Functional Cargo Block, was the first element of the International Space Station (ISS) to be launched into orbit. This event marked a significant collaboration between the United States and Russia, representing a new era in space exploration. Launched aboard a Proton rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Zarya was designed to serve multiple critical functions for the ISS, including power generation through solar panels, propellant storage, and system management. Its launch on November 20, 1998, was a carefully orchestrated event involving intricate planning and cooperation among various space agencies, particularly NASA and the Russian Space Agency.The successful deployment of Zarya set the stage for the assembly of the ISS, a project that would continue for over a decade. Zarya’s initial role was to act as a temporary control center for the station and to provide early habitation capabilities for astronauts. The module's launch was a testament to the technological advancements of the late 1990s and the geopolitical shifts following the Cold War, demonstrating how former rivals could come together for a common scientific goal. The collaboration was crucial not only for building the ISS but also in fostering international relations through shared scientific inquiry.Since its launch, Zarya has remained a pivotal component of the ISS. It has been instrumental in not only sustaining human presence in space but also in advancing our understanding of life beyond Earth. The successful operation of Zarya provided a platform for various international experiments and research, significantly contributing to human knowledge in fields ranging from astrophysics to biology. As various modules and components were added over the years, the ISS evolved into a unique laboratory that embodies global cooperation in science and technology.