Next year marks a significant milestone for human presence in space – the International Space Station’s quarter-century anniversary. NASA plans to dominate the commercial space station market, but its approach may surprise stakeholders. The agency is transitioning from “continued human presence” to two new terms: “continuous heartbeat” and “continuous capability.” These changes aim to benefit both private companies supplying cargo and crews, as well as researchers.
The continuous heartbeat concept has remained constant since Expedition 1’s launch in 2000. This system ensures long-term customers for services, allowing researchers to access a crewed laboratory year-round. In contrast, continuous capability proposes a more flexible approach – only requiring presence when needed. Industry experts praise this shift, citing potential delays if NASA maintains its current stance.
The change echoes Russia’s Salyut and Skylab space stations’ intermittent use, as well as China’s Tiangong Space Station’s recent operational history. Concerns arise regarding the impact on partnerships, particularly with European countries, which could be drawn to China’s free crew rotation offers. Nonetheless, NASA’s Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy emphasizes maintaining a continuous heartbeat or capability before ISS retirement.
As incoming Administrator Jared Isaacman takes the helm, he may accelerate timelines and funding to meet a 2030 deadline for commercial space stations. This shift marks an intriguing evolution in NASA’s approach to space station operations, with significant implications for the industry and international partnerships.
Source: https://spaceexplored.com/2024/12/12/post-iss-nasa-might-look-very-different-than-we-expected