Specifically, the ISS is approved to operate through 2024 and will likely be retired fully around 2028. These along with some other factors are a big reason why the ISS will be retiring by the end of the decade. In addition, the large majority of technology onboard is very outdated. This massive amount of money becomes harder and harder each year to justify the space stationвЂ™s costs. Each year the ISS costs NASA around $3-4 billion. Despite how great the ISS is, unfortunately, it cannot last forever. This includes a long list of human tests, science, and inventions we use every day on Earth. In the space stationвЂ™s long life it has been responsible for many achievements. In this time the space station has been around the planet over 100,000 times. The International Space Station is an incredible piece of technology that has been orbiting the Earth for over 20 years. The International Space Station Retirement At the same time driving costs down and making space more accessible for everyone and everything.

Different private companies could work together and compete to create innovative and unique technology of the future. The commercially owned future space station could bring endless opportunities. They plan on docking to the ISS and separating once the main International Space Station module is retired. Specifically, companies such as Axiom are currently working on technology and modules for a future space station. The future space station orbiting the Earth is likely to be commercially built by different private companies. With the International Space Station expected to be retired by the end of the decade, you might wonder what is next. While it has provided invaluable information and possibilities it is also expensive and getting old. The International Space Station has been orbiting Earth for over 20 years. What Will EarthвЂ™s Future Space Station Look Like? (Credit: NASA) What Will EarthвЂ™s Future Space Station Look Like?

Future international space station