NASA currently intends to deorbit the International Space Station (ISS) in 2030, but SpaceX CEO Elon Musk wishes to bring forward the schedule. In an X post, he said that the station has “very incremental utility” and must be destroyed earlier.
“It is time to begin preparations for deorbiting the @Space_Station. It has served its purpose. There is very little incremental utility. Let’s go to Mars,” Musk tweeted.
It is time to begin preparations for deorbiting the @Space_Station.
It has served its purpose. There is very little incremental utility.
Let’s go to Mars.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 20, 2025
Asked if he would like the station to retire earlier than 2030, he said, “The decision is up to the President, but my recommendation is as soon as possible. I recommend 2 years from now.”
The decision is up to the President, but my recommendation is as soon as possible.
I recommend 2 years from now.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 20, 2025
NASA Awards SpaceX $843 Million for Deorbiting Spacecraft
In June 2024, NASA awarded SpaceX an $843 million contract to design a spacecraft for the ISS deorbit. The spacecraft, an enlarged version of the Dragon capsule, will reduce the station’s altitude from about 400 kilometers before crashing it into the Pacific Ocean in 2030. The deorbiting process will take weeks, during which astronauts will leave the station as it starts descending.
NASA and five US, European, Canadian, Japanese, and Russian space agencies have operated the ISS since it launched. The space station, built with 16 modules, originally launched in 1998 and has had continuous residence by astronauts since 2000. Over 3,000 research studies from more than 108 nations have been conducted on the ISS. The agency is investing an estimated $1 billion overall to retire the orbital laboratory, according to reports.
Private Space Stations to Replace ISS
As the ISS is headed for retirement, private space stations will assume operations in low-Earth orbit. The stations will enable sustained human presence in space and increase space tourism activities. As the ISS approaches retirement, NASA and private industry are developing new space habitats that will be used for research and commercial endeavors.
Musk’s Mars Focus Intensifies
Musk has consistently reinforced his interest in colonizing Mars. He even indicated that the plans by NASA to colonize the Moon would be a distraction from realizing it. His idea shares the vision of former US President Donald Trump’s space policies. In his January 20 inauguration, Trump announced his willingness to send American astronauts to Mars.
In a Fox News interview, Trump stated, “Elon’s gonna go to orbit soon. He’s going to go to Mars.”
As NASA and SpaceX prepare for the deorbiting of the ISS, the transition to commercial space stations and deep-space travel represents a new era in human spaceflight.
