NASA is Going to Replace the ISS in the Future, Here's what will Happen || The Dude Explains

The ISS orbiting Over the Earth

The ISS has been a source of constant improvement in space technologies, for various space agencies, for over 20 years. It has been constantly inhabited from the day the first humans reached there. Scientists have conducted numerous experiments while floating in the microgravity conditions of space, giving us valuable knowledge about the effects of space surroundings on us and other things.

What happened to the ISS?

Cracks discovered on the ISS, likely to grow

ISS is still functional, and scientists are still conducting experiments there, but not for long. 

"The ISS costs about $3 billion a year, roughly a third of NASA's annual human space flight budget, and while current plans call for the Station's retirement in 2024, an extension to 2030 is likely," - Said NASA

NASA and Roscosmos are investigating an issue, on the cracks and leaks, recently discovered on the ISS

"Causes being explored include structural fatigue, internal damage, external damage, and material defects. Notably, based on the models NASA used to assess the structure, the cracks should not have occurred, suggesting the possibility of earlier-than-projected obsolescence for at least one element of the Station," - NASA

What will happen to the ISS?

Point Nemo where ISS will Deorbit

NASA revealed that they have decided to decommission and deorbit the Football field-sized Space Station by 2031. 

They will deorbit the space station, and then it will reenter earth's atmosphere, above the Pacific Ocean, and burn up in the atmosphere. The larger chunks would fall in the ocean, near 'Point Nemo', making sure that no loss of life is there.

Where would scientists conduct experiments?

Radishes grown in ISS

Well, Missions to Mars, Moon cannot be done efficiently and safely, without conducting experiments in microgravity, on what will happen to The Human Body in such extreme conditions.

So far, three companies have been named to replace the ISS

Blue Origin, Nanoracks LLC, and Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

These three free-flying space stations will continue to work in place of ISS, to provide us with scientific data from the microgravity conditions.

ISS will be remembered!

Space agencies all around the world would remember the legacy of this gigantic flying machine. It has provided us with several technologies, and research, which would not have been possible without it. It also acted as a place where nations could work together peacefully, leaving all the issues on earth. It was a dream for many to go there, and enjoy the beauty of space.

The International Space Station will be remembered!

What do you think about the ISS? Comment below :)

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