As the International Space Station (ISS) approaches its planned decommissioning in 2031, preparations are underway for the de-orbiting process and the next phase of space habitation. The extensive plans for both missions include contributions from government and commercial partners, signifying the shift in space exploration strategy. This new era prioritizes private companies and government agencies working together to achieve their common space industry goals.
The ISS’ Retirement Plan
Deorbiting the ISS is a shared responsibility among the five space agencies involved in building and launching the station: NASA, the Canadian Space Agency, the European Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and Roscosmos. The monumental mission, which is set to take place in 2031, will require precise control to ensure that any debris that does not burn up upon reentry lands in a designated area of the southern Pacific Ocean. This represents a significant challenge and milestone in space operations.
Recently, NASA announced that SpaceX has been selected to develop and deliver the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle (USDV), a single contract worth up to $843 million. The USDV is a spacecraft that will be responsible for the safe and responsible transition into low Earth orbit after the ISS’s operational life ends in 2030. NASA will take ownership of and operate the USDV throughout the mission.
NASA’s current deorbiting plan involves using SpaceX’s USDV to guide the ISS through its final descent. This approach replaces the original idea of using Russian Progress spacecraft, due to both technical and geopolitical considerations. The ISS partner agencies have committed to operating the station through 2030, with Russia committed through at least 2028 or until the country’s contributed technologies are no longer operational. Each agency contributed critical components to the ISS and is responsible for the maintenance, operation, and upgrades of their respective technologies.
Key steps in the de-orbiting process will reportedly include:
Gradual Orbit Lowering
Starting in 2026, the ISS will be allowed to naturally decay under atmospheric drag and begin a gradual descent to lower its altitude.
Final Crew Departure
A final crew will be sent to the ISS to retrieve any equipment or historically significant materials and will depart and safely return to Earth in 2030.
Controlled Re-entry
In 2031, the USDV will execute a final re-entry burn to ensure the ISS re-enters the atmosphere over the South Pacific Ocean, targeting Point Nemo, one of the most remote places on Earth.
The Rise of Commercial Space Stations
Before NASA says goodbye to the ISS, it plans to transition its research and astronauts to commercial space stations. This transition is part of a broader strategy to foster innovation, reduce costs, and maintain American competitiveness in space exploration.
Starlab is a planned commercial space station being developed by a global joint venture led by Voyager Space. The project aims to create a continuously crewed, free-flying space station to serve as a successor to the ISS and ensure ongoing human presence in low Earth orbit.
The commercial space station is designed to serve a global customer base that includes space agencies, researchers, and companies. It aims to provide continued microgravity research capabilities, a platform for commercial space activities, support for astronaut missions, and opportunities for space tourism. SpaceX has been contracted to launch Starlab on its Starship vehicle. Along with SpaceX, key players and their roles for Starlab include:
Voyager Space
Voyager Space is the lead partner in the Starlab joint venture. The company oversees overall project management and coordination and brings expertise in commercial space operations and technology development.
Airbus
Airbus is a major partner in the joint venture. The company contributes aerospace engineering expertise and manufacturing capabilities while anchoring the project to European space ambitions.
Mitsubishi Corporation
Mitsubishi is a strategic partner providing additional financial backing and business development support to the project. The corporation helps extend Starlab’s reach into Asian markets.
MDA Space
MDA Space is the newest strategic partner and equity owner in the Starlab joint venture. The company will be responsible for providing external robotics, robotics interfaces, and robotic mission operations including its MDA SKYMAKER™ suite of scalable and modular robotics solutions. It brings extensive experience from developing the Canadarm family of robotics used on the ISS.
Jeffrey Manber, President of International and Space Stations at Voyager Space, discussed the advantages of the shift toward commercial operations, including increased efficiency and cost-effectiveness. NASA views this shift to commercial partnerships as beneficial for national security, especially in light of geopolitical tensions. The agency notes that despite challenges in U.S.-Russia relations, cooperation on the ISS remains professional and uninterrupted.
As other countries, including China, Russia, and India, pursue their own space station projects, the U.S. is betting on commercial leadership in low Earth orbit.
Looking Ahead
The planned decommissioning of the International Space Station in 2031 marks a significant transition in space exploration. As NASA and its international partners prepare for the complex task of safely de-orbiting the ISS, they are simultaneously paving the way for the next generation of space habitation through commercial partnerships.
This shift from government-led to private sector-driven space exploration represents a new era in space operations. Companies like Voyager Space, with its Starlab project, are stepping up to fill the void that will be left by the ISS. These commercial ventures aim to provide continued opportunities for scientific research, technological development, and potentially even space tourism.
The de-orbiting of the ISS and the rise of commercial space stations highlight the evolving nature of space exploration. They demonstrate the increasing role of private industry in space, the ongoing importance of international cooperation, and the continuous push to expand human presence beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
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