What will replace International Space Station after it's planned demolition in 2030?

The International Space Station (ISS) is nearing the end of its service life, with NASA committed to keeping it operational until 2030 before decommissioning it.

To facilitate a safe deorbit, NASA has enlisted SpaceX to execute a "controlled reentry," guiding the ISS into the Earth’s atmosphere. According to an article by Newsweek, most of the station is expected to disintegrate upon entry, while any remaining fragments will land in a designated remote ocean area.

As the longest-running multinational collaboration in space history, the ISS has relied on contributions from the US, Russia, Canada, Europe, and Japan for maintenance and staffing. Its retirement marks the conclusion of this cooperative era and could usher in a more competitive phase in space exploration.

Possible Replacements for the ISS

Tiangong (China Manned Space Agency)

Though significantly smaller than the ISS, at only one-third its size, Tiangong is set to expand in 2026 with the addition of a space telescope module.

China developed Tiangong after NASA banned its participation in the ISS program. Launched in 2021, the station has an anticipated lifespan of 15 years, ensuring it will remain active beyond 2030. Once the ISS is retired, Tiangong will become the largest operational space station.

Axiom (Axiom Space, USA)

Established in 2020, Axiom is an ambitious commercial space station project. It aims to assemble four modules in orbit by the time the ISS is phased out.

Axiom has already facilitated private missions to the ISS, with ticket prices reportedly around $55 million per passenger. The station is designed to support space tourism, research, and private-sector space initiatives.

Starlab (Voyager and Airbus, USA & France)

A collaboration between Airbus and U.S.-based Voyager, Starlab has one of the most aggressive launch schedules among upcoming space stations, with plans to deploy its first modules in 2028.

Designed to accommodate four astronauts at a time—compared to the ISS’s seven—Starlab’s interior will be crafted by hospitality giant Hilton, blending scientific functionality with comfort.

Upcoming Space Stations

Bharatiya Antariksha (Indian Space Research Organization, 2032)

India’s first space station is scheduled for launch in 2032, marking the nation’s growing presence in human spaceflight.

Lunar Gateway (International Collaboration, 2030s)

The Lunar Gateway is poised to become the leading symbol of international space cooperation after the ISS. It involves NASA, the European Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, the Canadian Space Agency, and the UAE’s Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre.

Unlike its predecessors, the Lunar Gateway will orbit the Moon, serving as a staging ground for NASA’s Artemis Program, which seeks to establish a long-term human presence on the lunar surface.

Haven-2 (Vast, USA, 2032)

California-based company Vast is developing Haven-2, a private space station positioned as the ISS’s direct successor. The station’s construction will take place in orbit, with new modules launching every six months throughout the late 2020s.

By Nazrin Sadigova