ISS — 25 years and its decommissioning plan.
The station of a generation nears its end
The International Space Station (ISS) stands as a remarkable testament to international collaboration in space exploration. Constituting the largest modular space station in low Earth orbit, the ISS is a product of the collective efforts of five major space agencies: NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe), and CSA (Canada). The ownership and utilization of this space station are governed by intergovernmental treaties and agreements, exemplifying a cooperative venture for the advancement of scientific knowledge.
Initially conceptualized as Space Station Freedom in 1984, a proposal by Ronald Reagan sought to establish a permanently crewed Earth-orbiting station. Concurrently, the Soviet/Russian Mir-2 proposal from 1976 shared similar aims. The ISS, evolving from these initiatives, became the ninth inhabited space station, following predecessors like the Soviet Salyut, Almaz, and Mir stations, as well as the American Skylab. It holds the distinction of being the largest artificial object in the Solar System and a prominent satellite in low Earth orbit, visible to the naked eye from the Earth’s surface.
The ISS serves as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory, facilitating scientific investigations across diverse fields such as astrobiology, astronomy, meteorology, and physics. Beyond its research function, the ISS is a testing ground for spacecraft systems. Divided into two segments, the Russian Orbital Segment (ROS) and the United States Orbital Segment (USOS), the station accommodates habitable modules for scientific endeavors and human residence.
The ISS is not merely a scientific outpost but a symbol of international cooperation, with modules launched by Russian Proton and Soyuz rockets, as well as US Space Shuttles. The station receives services from various visiting spacecraft, including the Russian Soyuz and Progress, SpaceX Dragon 2, and Northrop Grumman Space Systems Cygnus. As of April 2022, astronauts, cosmonauts, and space tourists from 20 different nations have visited the ISS, reflecting its global significance.
The historical trajectory leading to the creation of the ISS involved complex negotiations and collaborative efforts. Initiatives like the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975 paved the way for further joint missions, and proposals like International Skylab demonstrated early aspirations for international collaboration in outer space. Budget constraints and shifting geopolitical landscapes necessitated adjustments, leading to the amalgamation of American and Russian space station projects.
However, it wasn’t until the 1990s that plans began to materialize. Russia took the initial step by launching the Zarya module in 1998, followed by the Unity module from the United States in 1999. The construction of the ISS was a gradual process that involved the launch and coupling of various modules over the years. Zvezda, the Russian module providing accommodation for the crew, and the U.S. Destiny laboratory are just a few examples of the essential components that were added.
The station has set numerous milestones and records over the years. Its impressive magnitude is evidenced by being the largest object ever constructed in space, measuring 108 meters in length and with a diameter of 73 meters. Moreover, as the most complex space laboratory ever created, it houses over 200 scientific experiments. Throughout its existence, more than 200 astronauts from 15 different countries have lived and worked on the station, solidifying its status as an international home in the cosmos.
The ISS operates on solar power, with a propulsion system to maintain its orbit and a life support system ensuring air, water, and food for the astronauts. The crew rotates through stays of six months to a year.
With a continuous human presence in low Earth orbit for over 23 years, the ISS has surpassed previous records held by the Mir space station. The latest module, Nauka, was integrated in 2021, extending the station’s operational authorization to 2030. However, events, such as the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, have introduced uncertainties regarding Russia’s continued participation, potentially impacting funding and future cooperation.
Decommissioning
The decision to decommission the International Space Station (ISS) is driven by a combination of factors, including technological, financial, and strategic considerations. Here are some key reasons:
1. Aging Infrastructure: The ISS has been continuously inhabited for over two decades, and many of its components have surpassed their intended operational lifetimes. As hardware ages, it becomes more prone to malfunctions and may require more frequent maintenance. Decommissioning is a way to retire the station before it faces critical failures.
2. Costs of Maintenance: The expenses associated with maintaining and operating the ISS are substantial. As the station ages, the cost of upkeep and necessary repairs increases. Decommissioning the ISS allows space agencies to allocate resources to newer projects and technologies.
3. Advancements in Technology: Since the ISS was launched, there have been significant advancements in space exploration technology. Newer spacecraft and space stations may offer improved capabilities and efficiencies. Decommissioning the ISS provides an opportunity to shift focus to more advanced platforms.
4. Changing International Relations: The ISS has been a symbol of international collaboration, particularly between the United States and Russia. However, geopolitical shifts and strained relations between these countries and others may impact the willingness to continue joint projects. The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, for example, introduced uncertainties about future cooperation.
5. Transition to Commercial Space Operations: There is a growing interest in the commercialization of space activities. Decommissioning the ISS may open up opportunities for private companies to take a more prominent role in low Earth orbit operations, potentially fostering a new era of commercial space ventures.
6. Long-Term Exploration Goals: Space agencies, including NASA, have long-term goals of exploring the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Decommissioning the ISS is seen as a strategic step to redirect resources and focus toward these ambitious exploration endeavors.
7. Legislative and Budgetary Considerations: Legislative acts and budget constraints play a crucial role in shaping space exploration programs. The decision to decommission the ISS is influenced by funding considerations, and legislative acts have been introduced to set timelines and parameters for the station’s future.
It marks a transition in the space exploration landscape, opening the door for new initiatives and collaborations in the ever-evolving field of space exploration.
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The decommissioning of the International Space Station (ISS) involves intricate legal, technical, and strategic considerations in accordance with the Outer Space Treaty. This treaty designates the United States and Russia as legally responsible for modules they have launched. Various disposal options were assessed, including natural orbital decay, boosting the station to a higher altitude, and controlled targeted de-orbit to a remote ocean area. The preferred plan, as of late 2010, involved using a modified Progress spacecraft for de-orbiting due to its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and minimal risk to human life.
The originally proposed OPSEK (Orbital Piloted Assembly and Experiment Complex) was designed to be constructed from modules of the Russian Orbital Segment after the ISS’s decommissioning. Modules under consideration for removal included the Multipurpose Laboratory Module (Nauka) and other new Russian modules attached to Nauka. However, the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and subsequent sanctions have cast uncertainty on continued cooperation and funding, potentially affecting the fate of OPSEK.
While Boeing’s contract with NASA, extending to September 2020, aimed to extend the station’s structural hardware life to 2028, there were also discussions within the commercial space industry about converting the ISS to commercial operations after government retirement.
Legislative efforts, such as the Space Frontier Act of 2018 and the Leading Human Spaceflight Act, aimed to extend ISS operations to 2030. However, the actual decommissioning plan was announced by NASA in January 2022, with a planned date of January 2031. NASA proposed using a deorbit module, directing remnants into a remote area of the South Pacific Ocean. The deorbiting spacecraft, launched a year before reentry, would dock at the Harmony forward port and become functional during the final days of the ISS. It would perform orientation burns to lower the perigee before a final deorbiting burn.
The decision on the ISS’s fate extends beyond U.S.-Russia relations, impacting international relationships that underpin the ISS. There are concerns about the involvement of other space agencies, including the Canadian, Japanese, European, and Russian agencies, in the U.S.-led commercial plan. The conclusion of the ISS marks the end of a shared responsibility in its construction and maintenance, potentially prompting new discussions on future international partnerships in space. The evolving landscape, marked by the rise of China as a space powerhouse, raises questions about the nature of future collaborations. As the ISS concludes its remarkable journey, it symbolizes a unique achievement in spaceflight history, and the decisions surrounding its decommissioning will shape the trajectory of future space endeavors.
Private Stations
NASA is currently investing in the conceptualization and design of private space station projects to ensure the continuous presence of astronauts in orbit. One such initiative, Orbital Reef, is a collaborative effort between Blue Origin, led by Jeff Bezos, and Sierra Space. Although slated for operational status in 2027, both companies have engaged in public disputes, and Orbital Reef seems to be deprioritized in favor of other space ventures. Despite lacking a contracted team, the project envisions establishing a space business center.
In direct competition with Orbital Reef is Starlab, an orbital research center with plans to commence operations in 2028. Recently joined by the European Space Agency (ESA), this venture underscores the growing interest in leveraging the commercial potential of zero-gravity environments for factories and research laboratories. Axiom, another player in this domain, enjoys close collaboration with NASA, notably contributing to spacesuit development for the upcoming Artemis missions to the Moon. In 2022, Axiom orchestrated the maiden mission involving private astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS), marking a pivotal moment in space tourism. Axiom’s strategic plan involves adding four modules to the ISS starting in 2026, which will subsequently detach before the ISS is directed to a Pacific sink, transforming into an independent space station.
Amidst the finalization of NASA’s plans to de-orbit the ISS, an intriguing proposal surfaced during Bowersox’s symposium, suggesting an alternative approach. A space policy expert proposed the idea of elevating the ISS to a stable orbit at the conclusion of its useful life. This visionary proposal envisions the ISS as a lasting monument to international space cooperation, a faint artificial star visible from Earth, symbolizing the collective achievements in space exploration.
At the link bellow you can find informations about all expeditions to the ISS, enjoy it:
I have made an article before about Lagrange points and stable orbits, if you’re interested in, please check the link bellow:
