Will the International Space Station be replaced before its fiery death in 2030?

NASA, its international partners, and commercial stakeholders are weighing the challenges of extending the aging ISS’s service life against the need to transition to next-generation low-Earth orbit platforms. With a planned retirement around 2030 driven by safety and technological concerns, discussions have intensified around the feasibility of replacing—or at least complementing—the ISS with commercially developed space stations that can continue the vital research and human exploration legacy. The debate involves balancing budget constraints, evolving mission objectives, and international collaboration, all while navigating the technical and logistical complexities of decommissioning such a historic orbital laboratory. More

(Source: Space News - Sep 19)