The International Space Station (ISS), a nearly three-decade-old orbiting laboratory, faces an uncertain future due to aging infrastructure and international disagreements, potentially culminating in a dramatic end.
The ISS, a collaborative project involving NASA, Roscosmos, JAXA, ESA, and CSA/ASC, launched in November 1988 and has served as a microgravity research hub.
- The U.S. plans to conclude its ISS operations in 2030.
- The station is slated for a controlled deorbit to Nemo Point, the most remote location on Earth, in 2031.
- Russia plans to withdraw from the ISS in 2028, citing structural wear and aging.
- A significant air leak in the Russian segment’s Zvezda module, detected in 2019, continues to be a concern.
- NASA expresses worries about the structural integrity of the affected module, while Russia maintains operations can continue safely.
What is the current status of the International Space Station’s operations? The International Space Station (ISS) is nearing the end of its operational life. The United States plans to cease its involvement by 2030, with the station scheduled for a controlled deorbit to Nemo Point, the most inaccessible place on Earth, in 2031.
End of an Era for the ISS
More than 26 years ago, in November 1988, a consortium of space agencies, including NASA, Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), the ESA (Europe), and the CSA/ASC (Canada), launched the International Space Station (ISS). This remarkable feat of engineering orbits at an altitude of approximately 400 kilometers, serving as a permanently inhabited microgravity research laboratory for studies across astrobiology, astronomy, meteorology, physics, and more.
After decades of service, the station’s retirement is on the horizon. The U.S. is set to conclude its operations in 2030. Following this, SpaceX will handle the costly task of deorbiting the ISS, a process estimated at $843 million. The station will be guided towards Nemo Point, Earth’s most remote and inaccessible location, a year later.
Reasons for Dismantling
The decision to dismantle the ISS stems from a combination of factors, primarily the structural wear and aging of the station. Compounding this is Russia’s planned departure in 2028. These two elements are believed to be at the heart of recent controversies surrounding the station.
A Critical Module’s Woes
In July 2000, Russia launched the Zvezda module, which provided essential life support systems and accommodation for two crew members. Situated in the Russian Orbital Segment, this module has become a critical point of concern.
International Space Station (EEI)
In recent years, a significant air leak has been detected in the Russian segment. This leak, first identified in 2019, has worsened considerably. Specifically, the air loss has been traced to the PRK lobby, which is connected to the Zvezda module. In 2023 alone, the module was losing between 900 and 1,100 grams of air daily, a deeply concerning rate.
NASA has expressed grave concerns about the potential for a “catastrophic failure” due to this air loss.
Bob Cabana, a former NASA astronaut and current president of the ISS Advisory Committee, told SpaceNews that the Russian team is actively working to find and seal the leaks but does not deem a “catastrophic disintegration” likely. NASA, however, remains worried about the structural integrity of the PRK module and the possibility of such an event.
Despite NASA’s months-long alerts, Russia maintains its position that operations can continue safely. Cabana explained, “The Russians believe that operations can continue safely, but cannot prove it satisfactorily for us. For its part, the United States believes that it is not safe, but it cannot convince the Russians of it.”
Currently, the affected module is largely sealed after repair attempts. While the air leak in the ISS Zvezda module has been reduced by nearly a third, it has not been fully resolved. Continued collaboration between NASA and Roscosmos is crucial to prevent a “tragedy of historical proportions.”
