Astronomy from the International Space Station

The International Space Station will become a reality at the onset of the new millennium. On the station a number of facilities for performing scientific experiments, measurements and observations will be made available to qualified users. The merits, and limits, of these facilities, for what concerns astronomical observations, are described. ESA, as part of the consortium which is building the station, is entitled to a share of the research facilities of the station including the exposed facilities on which astronomical payloads can be accommodated. The present status of the selection process for astronomical payloads to be flown as early opportunities on the Space Station is presented.