When is the International Space Station being retired?

By 2031, NASA plans to decommission and deorbit the International Space Station (ISS), with commercial replacement facilities expected to take over to ensure a continuous human presence in low-Earth orbit. However, the Russian space agency, Roscosmos, will be leaving the ISS in 2024 as it focuses on constructing its own space station. The ISS, which has hosted astronauts from various countries since its launch in 1998, has facilitated important scientific research and has become a well-known object in the night sky, attracting amateur photographers. Despite its iconic status, the ISS is nearing its end.

Why is the ISS being retired?

As the International Space Station (ISS) reaches its third decade in operation, signs of aging are becoming apparent, including outdated equipment and structural issues such as cracks. In response, the international partners involved in managing the ISS have agreed to phase out operations and eventually deorbit the spacecraft. This decommissioning process will occur gradually over several years.

What are the options for decommissioning the International Space Station?

NASA has explored several options for decommissioning the International Space Station, but each has its challenges.

Disassembly and return to Earth would be difficult due to the station's size and recent additions, and would require a spacecraft with a large cargo bay.
Boosting the station to a higher orbit is not feasible due to its mass and low operational altitude, and would carry a high risk to future operations.
Natural orbital decay with random re-entry is also not acceptable due to the risk of debris landing in populated areas.
Controlled, targeted re-entry into a remote uninhabited area in the ocean to ensure the safety of the ground population.

How will NASA deorbit the International Space Station?

The main goal of space station deorbit operations is to ensure the safe return of the station's structure to an unpopulated area in the ocean. To achieve this, a combination of natural orbital decay and a re-entry manoeuvre will be used for final targeting and to manage the debris footprint. However, this final manoeuvre is expected to consume a significant portion of the station's propellant reserves.

To minimize the cost of propellant, the station will rely on the Earth's atmospheric drag to lower its altitude while preparing for deorbit. Once all crew members have safely returned to Earth and the final target ground track and debris footprint have been aligned over the South Pacific Oceanic Uninhabited Area (SPOUA) - also known as Point Nemo - space station operators will initiate a large re-entry burn. This will provide the necessary thrust to further lower the station's altitude and ensure a safe atmospheric entry into the designated footprint.

The deorbit manoeuvres will be performed using the station's own propulsion system and the visiting spacecraft's capabilities. NASA and its partners are assessing the suitability of various quantities of Russian Progress spacecraft to support deorbit operations. Additionally, NASA is exploring the possibility of modifying U.S. commercial spacecraft to enable them to contribute to the deorbiting process.

Where will the International Space Station land?

Point Nemo, situated at coordinates 48°52.6′S 123°23.6′W, is the farthest location from any landmass in the ocean, with a distance of approximately 2,688 kilometers from the nearest land. This remote oceanic spot has become the preferred choice for spacecraft disposal due to its distance from populated areas, offering a safe landing zone for any surviving hardware that endures the heat of re-entry without endangering human lives. Nevertheless, NASA is exploring other possible locations for space station disposal to minimize risks to the population on Earth, including alternate footprint targets and ground paths.