The ISS could be gone by 2024 — what does it mean for the future of space travel?
The future of space stations is uncertain once the International Space Station ends its mission — China and private industry could fill the void.
The Yangs and Kohms
The future of space stations could be private, as the ability to reach space becomes more common among non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
One company developing privatespace stations, Axiom Space, seeks to begin with expanding out the ISS while constructing their own orbiting outpost. Their egg-shaped modules are designed to provide a 360-degree view of space, and the Earth turning far below.
“Once fully assembled, Axiom Station will nearly double the useable volume of the International Space Station,” theteam reports.
An artist concept of the Axiom station deployed on the International Space Station. Image credit: Axiom SpaceSierra Space also has its own design for long-term habitation in low-Earth orbit.
“Sierra Space’s space station leverages its transportation and destination technologies including the Dream Chaser space-plane and LIFE Habitat. The station is a configuration of multiple expandable LIFE habitats that can be serviced by both cargo- and crew-carrying Dream Chaser spaceplanes,”the company describes.
Nations including China are now investing in space exploration in an effort to further science, encourage minds, and discover technologies needed to face global climate change in a post-oil world.
On 16 June, China successfully launched the first module in its own space station, Tiangong, into orbit around Earth.The China National Space Administration (CNSA) also plans to launch aHubble-class space telescopeto accompany their spaceborne laboratory.
During his talk, Nelson called out for cooperation with China building the future of space stations. However, he also stated the he believed the United States is now in a space race with The Middle Kingdom.
Meanwhile, Russia and China have agreed to work together building abase on the Moon, and they have extended an offer to Europe to join their project. In the United States, NASA continues with their goal of returning to the Moon (hopefully in 2024) withthe Artemis program.
Home… home in orbit… where the rocks and the space debris play…
Over time, the space station is slowly losing its orbit, and must be continually adjusted. Much of the fuel needed to carry out this task comes from leftover resupply ships launched from Earth.
The space station is also under constant threat from micrometeorites and space debris. Eventually, the laws of probability state the ISS will “ one day “ suffer catastrophic damage from such an impact.
Letting this massive craft enter the Earth’s atmosphere in an uncontrolled re-entry could prove hazardous to those on the ground. The safest option is a planned re-entry over the sparsely-populated South Pacific.
One challenge facing those planning to eventually de-orbit the ISS is that it is big “ really big. Nearly 100 meters long, the facility offers living space as large as a six-story house. Were it on our home world, theISSwould weigh 420,000 kilograms (900,000 pounds) “ more than the weight of four average blue whales “ the largest animals ever to live on Earth.
When the time comes to end the mission of the ISS, thrusters (likely provided by Russian Progress spacecraft) will direct the orbiting outpost to an incendiary re-entry over the southern Pacific Ocean.
Before that time comes, try to see theISSflying overhead (several apps are available telling you when to look) “ it’s quite a remarkable sight.
Story byThe Cosmic Companion
Exploring the wonders of the Cosmos, one mystery at a time.Exploring the wonders of the Cosmos, one mystery at a time.
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