The Future of the International Space Station: NASA's $1 Billion Crash Mission and the Looming Gap

The International Space Station (ISS) is set to be deorbited and burned up in Earth's atmosphere in January 2031, leaving the US without access to a space station. However, China's Tiangong Space Station is currently in orbit and expected to last at least 10 years, while private space companies like Axiom Space are planning to launch their own modules to conduct commercial space activities. Russia initially planned to leave the ISS and start its own station in 2027, but has agreed to continue being part of the ISS until 2028. Additionally, the Lunar Gateway, a space station in lunar orbit, is being developed by NASA, ESA, JAXA, and CSA for future missions to the Moon and Mars. New space stations will be needed in the late 2030s to maintain a continuous human presence in space.