"NASA's Historic Plan to Deorbit the International Space Station"
As the International Space Station (ISS) nears the end of its glorious operational lifespan, NASA has revealed its bold plan to bring the station back to Earth in a controlled deorbit . After more than two decades of service, contributing to scientific, medical, and commercial space ventures, the ISS will see its final descent by 2031 . The International Space Station, as photographed by astronauts in October 2018. Credit: NASA The ISS, which took 37 U.S. space shuttle flights and five Russian rocket launches to complete, has been a symbol of international collaboration. Over 270 astronauts have visited it, making invaluable contributions to space research. By 2030, NASA will retire the ISS due to aging technology and high operational costs. Among various proposals, NASA has chosen a controlled deorbit, allowing the massive station (the size of a football field) to re-enter Earth's atmosphere and disintegrate safely over the Pacific Ocean. SpaceX will play a critical role by cre...