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Author
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Topic: ISS: How long should space station stay in use?
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OV3Discovery
Member Posts: 100
From:
Registered: Mar 2015
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posted 03-12-2015 03:47 PM
  
A few days ago I read this article about the Russian space agency deciding that in 2024, they will separate from the International Space Station (and build their own station). Do you think that research in low Earth orbit would be more efficient if a new lab be built as the maintenance cost of ISS will increase hugely in the future? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-12-2015 04:55 PM
As of today, the partners have only agreed to operate the ISS through 2020.Last year, NASA put forth a proposal to extend operations to 2024. Russia has now, in theory (see below), signed onto that proposal, but no extension has been agreed to between all of the partners. Assuming that the extension does go through, then what Russia has now said (through the media, not to the space station partners), is that when ISS comes to its end in 2024, it will be removing three modules that it has yet to launch to form the basis of a new all-Russian space station. What would Russia do if another extension (say to 2028) was agreed to by the other partners? No one knows. At this point, Russia's announcement that it is planning to remove modules (not yet launched) in 2024 is only for show. According to NASA administrator Charles Bolden, Russia has not officially informed any of the partners of such plans. For its part, NASA (through associate administrator for space operations Bill Gerstenmaier) has said that by 2024, it will be focused on beyond Earth exploration and does not foresee having a need for the ISS. Instead, if further research is needed in low Earth orbit, the agency hopes commercial outposts, such as the one being prepared by Bigelow Aerospace, will be available for use. |
Jim Behling
Member Posts: 1463
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 03-12-2015 04:59 PM
NASA isn't going to build another station. They likely will rent space on a commercial station. |
OV3Discovery
Member Posts: 100
From:
Registered: Mar 2015
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posted 03-12-2015 05:01 PM
But I think there will be only a slight chance that ISS will survive past 2028. It will be deorbited.
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Headshot
Member Posts: 864
From: Vancouver, WA, USA
Registered: Feb 2012
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posted 03-15-2015 07:34 AM
What are the three modules that the Russians intend to launch and then re-purpose? |
OV3Discovery
Member Posts: 100
From:
Registered: Mar 2015
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posted 03-15-2015 07:50 AM
I am not sure of the name, but they will be removing the Zarya Module from ISS I think. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-15-2015 10:07 AM
The Zarya functional cargo block (FGB) is not among the modules Russia plans to remove, nor is the Zvezda service module. The three modules are: - a multi-purpose laboratory module (MLM "Nauka"),
- a (docking) node module (UM), and
- a scientific power module (NEM-1).
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OV3Discovery
Member Posts: 100
From:
Registered: Mar 2015
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posted 03-15-2015 04:41 PM
Seems like Russia is heading towards the Mir days once again.
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