SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has called for NASA to deorbit the International Space Station as soon as possible, possibly within two years. This move would shift focus from the ISS to missions to Mars. The sudden request, made on social media, threatens to complicate relations between NASA and the space industry.
Musk claims that the ISS has served its purpose and there is little incremental utility in keeping it operational. He recommends deorbiting the station within two years, which would conflict with NASA’s current plan to retire the ISS by 2030. The agency had awarded a $843 million contract to SpaceX to develop a spacecraft called the United States Deorbit Vehicle (USDV), but this project could be complicated if an early deorbit occurs.
An early deorbit would also complicate relationships with other companies and organizations involved in the ISS, as well as international partners who have committed to participating until 2030. NASA’s LEO Microgravity Strategy aims for a “continuous heartbeat” of human presence in low Earth orbit, which could be disrupted by an early deorbit.
Industry experts remain confident that commercial space stations can be developed before 2030, but concerns about the timeline and its impact on U.S. presence in low Earth orbit persist. Key lawmakers have reiterated their desire to maintain a continuous U.S. presence in LEO, citing concerns that abandoning it would allow China to fill the void.
Source: https://spacenews.com/musk-calls-for-deorbiting-iss-as-soon-as-possible