According to NASA, the International Space Station (ISS) will be working until 2030. However, it will crash into the Pacific Ocean in early 2031. Here’s more about the plunge.
International Space Station to retire in 2031
Earlier this week, in a report, the US space agency revealed that the ISS will crash into Point Nemo in the Pacific Ocean. The place is far away from land and is nicknamed the spacecraft cemetery. Point Nemo is the resting place for several satellites and space debris that have crashed into the ocean. Mir, the Russian Space Station also plunged into this point in 2001. The ISS was a joint project between five space agencies that began in 1998. It has been continuously crewed since 2000 and its microgravity laboratory has helped with over 3,000 research projects. It was initially approved to work till 2024 but, obtained an extension once since all partners agreed to it.
The move comes with NASA’s transition report after US President Joe Biden expressed his commitment to extending the space station’s activities until the end of the decade. According to NASA, transitioning to the private sector will help in saving $1.3 billion. This will also help in further exploring the deep space. The savings are from the operating cost and maintenance of the ISS. Since the private sector is newer, it will require fewer spare parts for effective functioning.
More on the future of space activities
NASA also revealed that space activities in the future will be led by the commercial sector. The retiring of the ISS marks a transition t the commercial activities in the low-Earth-orbit. “The private sector is technically and financially capable of developing and operating commercial low-Earth orbit destinations, with Nasa’s assistance,” stated Phil McAlister. McAlister is the director of commercial space at NASA HQ.
The commercial sector is vital to the US space program and private firms taking up the responsibility of delivering cargo and crew. NASA added that this will help in creating a “robust, American-led commercial economy in low-Earth orbit”. “Actions speak louder than words. This year we sent a new Nauka module to the ISS, which is expected to last at least 10 years,” stated Dmitry Rogozin, confirming the willingness to extend use. Rogozin is the head of Russia’s space program. He also added that the American sanctions were hurting the space industry in Russia. Previously, he hinted that the country might consider stopping participating in the International Space Station if they are not removed.
