NASA is acknowledging the possibility of a short-term gap in its human presence in low Earth orbit
While the agency seeks to maintain an uninterrupted human presence in low Earth orbit, it is preparing for the possibility that there may be a short-term gap between the retirement of the International Space Station (ISS) and the availability of commercial successors.
NASA is acknowledging the possibility of a short-term gap in its human presence in low Earth orbit (LEO) after the retirement of the International Space Station (ISS) in 2030. The agency is currently working with commercial partners to develop the next generation of space stations, but there is no guarantee that they will be ready by the time the ISS is decommissioned.
In a recent interview, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations Ken Bowersox said that the agency is "working very hard" to avoid a gap in its LEO presence, but that it is "certainly a possibility" that there could be a short-term break.
"We're working with our commercial partners to try to make sure that we have a seamless transition from the ISS to commercial space stations," Bowersox said. "But there are a lot of things that need to happen in order to make that happen."
One of the biggest challenges is that the commercial space station market is still in its early stages of development. There are several companies working on plans for new space stations, but none of them have yet been fully developed or funded.
NASA is also facing budget constraints that could make it difficult to afford to continue operating the ISS beyond its current retirement date. The agency is currently spending about $3 billion per year on the ISS, and that number is expected to rise in the coming years as the station ages.
Despite these challenges, NASA is still committed to maintaining an uninterrupted human presence in LEO. The agency believes that there are significant benefits to having a permanent outpost in space, including the ability to conduct scientific research, develop new technologies, and prepare for future missions to the Moon and Mars.
"We believe that it is important to have a continuous human presence in space," Bowersox said. "We think that it is important for scientific research, for technology development, and for human exploration."
To help ensure a seamless transition to commercial space stations, NASA is working with its partners to develop a set of standards and requirements for future LEO outposts. The agency is also providing financial support to some of the companies that are developing new space stations.
NASA is also looking at ways to extend the life of the ISS beyond its current retirement date. However, the agency has not yet made a decision on whether or not to do so.
"We're still evaluating the options," Bowersox said. "We're looking at the technical feasibility, the cost, and the schedule."
If NASA does decide to extend the life of the ISS, it would likely be a short-term extension of a few years. The agency would need to work with its international partners to agree to the extension, and it would also need to secure additional funding.
Despite the challenges, NASA is confident that it will be able to maintain an uninterrupted human presence in LEO. The agency is working with its commercial partners and exploring all of its options to ensure that there is a seamless transition from the ISS to the next generation of space stations.