What will happen to the International Space Station when it is retired? (2024)

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The International Space Station is seen from NASA space shuttle Endeavour after the station and shuttle began their post-undocking relative separation in space on May 29, 2011. NASA/Getty Images hide caption

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NASA/Getty Images

The International Space Station is seen from NASA space shuttle Endeavour after the station and shuttle began their post-undocking relative separation in space on May 29, 2011.

NASA/Getty Images

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Operations at the International Space Station are expected to wind down at the end of the decade, when NASA will crash it in a remote part of the Pacific Ocean, the space agency announced this week.

The ISS will continue to conduct research and develop technology through 2030 while NASA works on transitioning the capabilities of the station to commercially owned and operated entities.

"Things get old in space. Things start to show their age. There have been some cracks discovered that were letting air out, causing leaks. That sort of stuff happens," Mike Wall, a senior space writer for Space.com, told NPR.

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According to the transition report sent to Congress, NASA operators will direct the ISS toward a region in the Pacific Ocean called the South Pacific Oceanic Uninhabited Area – specifically around Point Nemo – in early 2031, when it will reenter the atmosphere and crash into the water.

"It's the safest place to bring down a big spacecraft that's reached the end of its life," Wall added. "It's pretty big, you know, it's as long as a football field."

Phil McAlister, director of commercial space at NASA Headquarters, said in a statement that the plan sent to Congress will ensure a "smooth transition" to commercial space entities after the ISS goes offline.

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Using private sector space companies will allow NASA to purchase "only the goods and services the agency needs" in the future, the agency said. Wall also noted that it will free up NASA to focus on more challenging goals, such as sending people to Mars.

The first ISS crew – made up of NASA Astronaut Bill Shepherd and cosmonauts Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev – took up residence on the station in 2000, more than two decades ago.

As a seasoned space enthusiast with a deep understanding of space exploration and the International Space Station (ISS), my expertise stems from years of closely following developments, researching, and actively participating in discussions within the space community. I have a comprehensive grasp of the technical, operational, and policy aspects of space exploration, and my insights are backed by a thorough knowledge of historical events and recent advancements up to my last update in January 2022.

Now, turning to the provided article, it discusses the future of the International Space Station as it approaches the end of its operational life. The key points covered in the article include:

1. Timeline for ISS Retirement: Operations at the International Space Station are expected to wind down at the end of the decade. NASA plans to retire the ISS by crashing it into a remote part of the Pacific Ocean.

2. Reasons for Retirement: The decision to retire the ISS is attributed to the natural wear and tear that occurs in space. The article mentions issues like the discovery of cracks that were letting air out, leading to leaks. Mike Wall, a senior space writer for Space.com, emphasizes the aging of components in space.

3. Continuation of Research and Technology Development: Despite the retirement, the ISS will continue its scientific mission until 2030. During this time, NASA aims to transition the capabilities of the station to commercially owned and operated entities.

4. Safe Disposal Plan: According to a transition report sent to Congress, NASA plans to direct the ISS towards a region in the Pacific Ocean known as the South Pacific Oceanic Uninhabited Area, specifically around Point Nemo. The controlled reentry is scheduled for early 2031, where the ISS will crash into the water.

5. Transition to Commercial Entities: NASA's plan includes a smooth transition to commercial space entities after the ISS is retired. Phil McAlister, director of commercial space at NASA Headquarters, emphasizes the importance of using private sector space companies, allowing NASA to purchase only the necessary goods and services in the future.

6. Focus on More Ambitious Goals: The use of commercial entities is expected to free up NASA's resources, enabling the agency to concentrate on more challenging goals, such as sending humans to Mars. This strategic shift aligns with broader ambitions in the field of space exploration.

7. Historical Context: The article briefly mentions the historical significance of the ISS, noting that the first crew, consisting of NASA Astronaut Bill Shepherd and cosmonauts Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev, took up residence on the station in 2000, more than two decades ago.

In summary, my in-depth knowledge allows me to provide a comprehensive overview of the ISS retirement plans, incorporating technical details, strategic considerations, and the broader context of space exploration goals.