Elon Musk Advocates for Accelerated Deorbiting of NASA’s Space Station: ‘In Just 2 Years!’

Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, recently shared his thoughts on the International Space Station (ISS). He believes it has fulfilled its purpose and suggests that it should be deorbited sooner than planned. Musk expressed this opinion on his social media platform, X, saying, “It is time to begin preparations for deorbiting the @Space_Station. There is very little incremental utility. Let’s go to Mars.” He also recommended that this deorbiting could happen in two years.

This idea comes as NASA previously planned to continue using the ISS until at least 2030. In fact, last year, they awarded SpaceX a significant contract, worth $843 million, to create a spacecraft that could help guide the ISS as it descends through the atmosphere. If the ISS is deorbited, it would ultimately break apart as it falls.

Musk has been an important partner in the ISS program, with SpaceX handling astronaut and cargo deliveries to the station. He is also known for his support of Donald Trump, having taken on an advisory role in the Trump administration. This includes involvement in a new initiative aimed at cutting government costs.

In response to Musk’s comments, a NASA spokesperson clarified that the agency still plans to use the ISS and future commercial space stations for scientific research and training for missions to the Moon and Mars. They are eager to hear more about the Trump administration’s plans for expanding exploration efforts and advancing scientific goals.

The ISS, launched in 1998, represents a collaboration among five major space agencies: NASA (United States), ESA (Europe), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), and CSA (Canada). For over 20 years, it has been a vital hub for astronauts conducting research and experiments in low Earth orbit. Since November 2000, at least one astronaut has been aboard the station at all times. Musk’s call for deorbiting suggests a shift in focus from the ISS to further space exploration, particularly Mars.

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