The International Space Station (ISS) launched in 1998 and will end operations in 2030. That means it will exceed its planned service life by two years. As retirement approaches, the conversation around life after ISS is gaining urgency. The main issue lies in the station’s core structure. Parts like crew modules and trusses have endured years of stress. NASA says they can’t be practically repaired or replaced in orbit. Meanwhile, components like solar panels or life support gear can be swapped out.
Repeated docking and changes in sunlight exposure place additional strain on the ISS. Although it has outlived expectations, its end is in sight. To prepare for what comes next, NASA and its partners are working on new microgravity research hubs. These will continue operations in low Earth orbit after the ISS retires.
NASA aims to rely on commercial space stations. The agency will become one of many customers instead of leading operations. In the future, services like cargo delivery and astronaut transport will come from private companies. This move lets NASA focus on deep-space missions to the Moon and Mars.
Vast is one of the private firms stepping in. Its upcoming station, Haven-1, will launch in 2026. It will be much smaller than the ISS, with only 45 cubic meters of habitable space. By comparison, the ISS offers around 900 cubic meters. Haven-1 will host astronauts for about 10 days at a time. SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft will handle transport. The station will support only four missions over three years. Safety and speed are top priorities for Vast.
Vast CEO Max Haot says their team is working on a tight schedule. Their goal is to deliver a station faster and at a lower cost than ever before. To improve astronaut comfort, they’ve designed inflatable beds. These provide pressure during sleep—something many astronauts find comforting.
Despite its small size, Haven-1 will offer advanced features. A viewing window will let astronauts enjoy ISS-level views of Earth. The station will also support microgravity research, just like the ISS.
Axiom Space is another company preparing for life after ISS. Its station will dock with the ISS at first, then separate to operate independently. Axiom aims to support up to four crew members by 2028. Their project is more complex than Haven-1 but shares the same goal—ensuring continuous human presence in orbit.
Other players like Blue Origin’s Orbital Reef and China’s Tiangong station also plan to fill the gap. These projects show that humanity is committed to staying in space, even after the ISS retires.
The ISS’s final chapter may be near, but a new story is unfolding. Through innovation and private partnerships, low Earth orbit will remain a hub for science and exploration. Thanks to companies like Vast and Axiom, life after ISS looks promising.
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