The International Space Station (ISS) has served as home to astronauts for nearly 30 years, but its aging spacecraft will be retired at the end of the decade. Leaving a significant gap in low Earth orbit behind, NASA hopes to fill that gap with a commercial version of the ISS. Until that happens, however, Space agencies are also adamant about maintaining human existence in a microgravity environment. To be on the path to landing astronauts on Mars
NASA Released The final version of The space agency named the strategy “Low Earth Orbit Low Gravity Strategy,” which emphasized the need to send long-term human missions to space after the retirement of the ISS. “Continuous heartbeat,” which is an odd choice of word to convey necessity. “Long-duration flights of six months to one year are used to reduce risk for future travel to Mars,” NASA wrote. “Flights of 30 days to six months would also have limited value,” the space agency added.
The key to these missions is the human part. “As the (ISS) transitions to a future commercial space station, NASA will maintain a consistent and continuous presence in low Earth orbit,” the report said. “This incessant human activity will help NASA reduce Risks in sending humans to Mars Maintain important operational skills Maintain a stable transport rhythm. Continue to develop science and maintain engagement with trade and international partners.”
NASA and its partners plan to retire the ISS by 2030. The space station is set to make a fiery reentry through Earth's atmosphere. Most of that will burn up. In 2021, the space agency created the Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destinations program to build replacement sites in the coveted spots left behind by the ISS. However, NASA is no longer in the business of building space stations. but just want to be a customer It helps commercial partners build and operate space stations that can be used by astronauts.
Companies such as Axiom Space, Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman hope to replace the ISS with their own versions. But it likely won't be ready in the next five years. NASA's strategy for those gap years is to maintain a continued human presence in space through long-duration missions to destinations in low Earth orbit using commercially owned spacecraft The main objective of the mission is to continue scientific research in a microgravity environment. This includes research related to human health in space in preparation for future missions to the Moon and Mars.
“Through the (ISS), NASA has shown that microgravity research is critical to advancing knowledge about ourselves and our planet,” the report said. “As we approach the transition from space station to commercial platforms in low Earth orbit. NASA must enable governments to use these platforms for further research and development across a variety of national purposes. This will help strengthen the economy and increase the quality of life on this planet for everyone.”
The new strategy also emphasizes the need for It is said to be a “multiple carrier,” indicating that NASA wants to rely on more than just SpaceX to transport crew and cargo to low Earth orbit. The space agency is still in Boeing's Starliner program certification process After this year's failed test flight
ISS retirement and subsequent transition period It reflects NASA's shift in reliance on commercial partners to maintain its presence in space.