Archive · 26 Sep 2025
NASA to Retire ISS by 2030, Plans for Commercial Space Stations
Imagine a big space home called the International Space Station, where astronauts from different countries have lived and worked for over 20 years.
NASA is planning to say goodbye to this home in 2030.
But don't worry, they're not leaving space!
They're helping companies build new space homes.
NASA has given money to these companies to create stations that can host astronauts.
These new stations must be safe and ready to host at least four people for a month.
Meanwhile, China has its own space station, which might become the longest-running space station once the ISS is retired.
NASA plans to retire the International Space Station (ISS) by 2030.
Astronauts have lived and worked on the ISS since 2000, conducting over 4,000 experiments.
NASA is supporting the development of commercial space stations to replace the ISS.
NASA has invested over $400 million in commercial space station development.
China’s Tiangong space station continues to host astronauts.
- Who
- NASA and its international partners
- What
- Planning to retire the International Space Station and support commercial space stations.
- When
- NASA plans to retire the ISS in 2030.
- Where
- Low-Earth orbit
- Why
- To transition to commercial space stations and continue human presence in space.
- ISS Retirement Date
- 2030
- ISS Continuous Operations Started
- 2000
- Number of Experiments on ISS
- Over 4,000
- NASA Investment in Commercial Stations
- Over $400 million
- China's Space Station
- Tiangong