Mmastodon ScienceScience first seen 13 h ago, last 8 h ago, peak #4

The ISS is entering its final years before a 2030 retirement

Original: The ISS is entering its final years. For more than 25 years, humans have lived continuously in orbit, turning low Earth

The International Space Station, home to a continuous human presence in orbit for more than 25 years, is preparing for retirement around 2030. Over that time, low Earth orbit has served as a laboratory, home and engineering testbed. The transition is expected to shift operations toward commercial space stations now in development, raising questions about whether they can sustain humanity's uninterrupted presence in space.

Why now: People are reflecting on the end of an era in human spaceflight as the ISS approaches decommissioning and commercial stations prepare to replace it.

International Space StationNASAlow Earth orbitcommercial space stations

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Evidence

• The ISS is entering its final years. For more than 25 years, humans have lived continuously in orbit, turning low Earth orbit into a laboratory, home and engineering testbed. Now retirement around 2030 is approaching — and commercial stations are preparing for the handoff.… · nexthorizon · 3

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