NASA has confirmed its plan to deorbit the International Space Station (ISS) in 2030, concluding a three-decade era of scientific research and international cooperation in low-Earth orbit. The agency is now actively funding private companies to develop commercial space stations, aiming for a seamless transition that maintains a continuous human presence in space.
Key Takeaways
- The International Space Station is scheduled for a controlled deorbit into the Pacific Ocean in 2030.
- Since November 2000, the ISS has maintained a continuous human presence in low-Earth orbit.
- NASA is investing over $400 million to support the development of privately owned and operated space stations.
- The transition follows the successful model of using commercial partners like SpaceX and Boeing for crew and cargo transport.
- China's Tiangong space station will continue to operate, ensuring a human outpost in orbit after the ISS is retired.
A Historic Era of Orbiting Research
For nearly three decades, the International Space Station has served as a premier laboratory for scientific discovery. First launched in 1998, the station has been continuously occupied by astronauts since November 2000, a streak that will soon reach 25 years. This orbital outpost represents a significant achievement in international collaboration, involving the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada.
The unique microgravity environment of the ISS has enabled groundbreaking research that is not possible on Earth. The station has hosted more than 4,000 experiments, contributing to advancements across numerous fields.
ISS by the Numbers
Research conducted aboard the ISS has resulted in over 4,400 scientific publications. These studies have advanced knowledge in materials science, biotechnology, human health, Earth science, and astrophysics.
Landmark Scientific Contributions
The research performed on the ISS has produced tangible benefits and expanded our understanding of fundamental processes. Scientists have used the station to improve the crystallization of proteins used in cancer-fighting drugs and to develop methods for growing artificial retinas in space.
Other notable projects include:
- Improving the manufacturing process for high-purity optical fibers.
- Advancing our understanding of thunderstorms and other atmospheric phenomena.
- Demonstrating the ability to sequence DNA in orbit, a critical capability for future deep-space missions.
These experiments have consistently proven the value of an orbiting laboratory for conducting research in a unique environment characterized by low gravity, vacuum, and radiation exposure.
The Transition to a Commercial Future
While the ISS is nearing the end of its operational life, NASA is not planning to abandon low-Earth orbit. Instead, the agency is fostering a new commercial space economy. The plan is to transition from being an owner and operator of a space station to becoming a customer, purchasing services from private companies.
A Proven Commercial Model
NASA's strategy is based on the success of its Commercial Crew and Cargo programs. The agency has relied on private companies like SpaceX to deliver supplies to the ISS for years. More recently, it has partnered with both SpaceX and Boeing to transport astronauts, ending its reliance on foreign launch providers.
In December 2021, NASA awarded more than $400 million in contracts to stimulate the development of commercial space stations. These funds are intended to help private industry design and build the next generation of orbital platforms before the ISS is decommissioned.
"We are not abandoning our outpost in low-Earth orbit. Instead, we are looking for alternatives to continue to take advantage of low Earth orbit’s promise as a unique research laboratory," stated a NASA report on the transition.
Next Steps for Private Stations
In September 2025, NASA outlined the next phase of its partnership plan. The agency issued a draft announcement for proposals that will fund selected companies through their critical design reviews. A key requirement is for these future stations to demonstrate the ability to support four astronauts in orbit for at least 30 days.
Once these commercial stations are operational, NASA will implement a formal certification process to ensure they meet the agency's strict safety standards. This will allow NASA to purchase mission time and other services, similar to how it currently buys seats on commercial crew flights.
The Final Mission of the ISS
The decommissioning of the International Space Station will be a carefully managed process. In 2030, flight controllers will use a series of engine burns to gradually lower the station's orbit. The final maneuver will guide the massive structure to a controlled reentry over a remote, uninhabited area of the South Pacific Ocean.
This location, often referred to as the "spacecraft cemetery," is the intended destination for large space debris to minimize risk to people and property on the ground.
Orbiting at High Speed
The ISS currently orbits the Earth at an altitude of approximately 250 miles (402 kilometers), traveling at a speed of around 17,500 miles per hour (28,000 kilometers per hour). This allows it to circle the globe roughly every 90 minutes.
A Continued Human Presence in Orbit
While the end of the ISS marks a significant shift for NASA and its partners, it does not mean the end of human habitation in space. China's Tiangong space station, which has been continuously occupied for approximately four years, will carry the torch forward.
After the ISS is retired, Tiangong is set to become the longest continually inhabited space station in operation. This ensures that humanity will maintain its foothold in low-Earth orbit as the new era of commercial space stations begins.
For now, the International Space Station remains a brilliant point of light in the night sky. On clear nights, it can often be seen as the brightest object, silently gliding across the stars—a visible symbol of human ingenuity and international cooperation that is available to see for a few more years.
