The International Space Station (ISS) has enjoyed continuous human habitation for 25 years. Now, as it approaches its planned retirement in about five years, significant changes are on the horizon.
Nasa and its global partners plan to deorbit the ISS around 2030. They’ve contracted SpaceX, with a budget of up to $843 million, to develop the United States Deorbit Vehicle (USDV). This vehicle will guide the station safely to splashdown in a remote part of the Pacific Ocean.
On December 7, 2025, NASA astronaut Mike Fincke will take over as ISS Commander from Russian cosmonaut Sergey Ryzhikov. Following this transition, Ryzhikov and his crew will return to Earth after a 245-day mission in orbit.
Exciting updates in ISS operations include a recent budget bill, which boosts NASA’s funding. The agency aims to maximize scientific discoveries in its final years. In line with this, the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) recently extended its agreement with NASA to manage the ISS National Laboratory through 2030. This partnership has successfully backed over 940 research projects since its inception in 2011.
“NASA has trusted CASIS to manage this incredible asset for nearly 14 years,” said Ramon Lugo, CEO of CASIS. “We’re eager to keep pushing the boundaries of research and development in space.”
While planned research on the ISS is plentiful, getting supplies and crew to the station has become a challenge. For instance, after the Soyuz MS-28 launch, a service platform at the launch site collapsed. Some reports suggest repairs could take up to two years. This might impact future crew rotations and supply missions.
NASA is currently relying on SpaceX for some logistical support, using its Cargo Dragon spacecraft to deliver critical supplies and manage the station’s position in orbit. The upcoming SpaceX Crew-12 mission is scheduled to launch in February 2026, while the Soyuz MS-29 mission is slated for July 2026.
Looking ahead, NASA plans to wind down ISS operations gradually. The station will slowly lower its orbit over two to two-and-a-half years before its final descent. “The Russian segment will contribute significantly to these operations, handling attitude control and debris avoidance as we prepare for deorbiting,” stated Dana Weigel, ISS Program Manager.
With a busy launch schedule lined up, the last years on the ISS will see various missions, including multiple SpaceX and Soyuz flights. NASA is weighing the experience of astronauts assigned to these last missions against health concerns tied to radiation exposure.
As the space community braces for the ISS’s retirement, the focus shifts to new horizons. The lessons learned from the ISS will shape future space endeavors and inspire the next generation of exploration.
For more insights into the ISS’s role in scientific research, check out the [NASA ISS National Laboratory](https://www.nasa.gov/iss-national-laboratory) website.
