NASA and its 16 International Partners are currently arguably building the most sophisticated challenging, demanding, technically state-of-the-art thing human kind has ever seen with its Space Transporation System. The operational life of the International Space Station is set to end in 2016 what will happen to this gem? Can we keep it in orbit for years to come?
harveyewagner
Favorite Answer
the international space station is a great accomplishment. Like the Hubble telescope, they put it up there, they can fix it.
aximill12345
The Hubble Space Telescope was only supposed to last, I think, 10 yrs when it was launced in 1990. And despite it's flaw in the lens, it has been fixed, and is likely to last until a new telescope is sent up, I think in 2010.
Skylab and MIR space stations lasted a long time, longer than expected, and could likely have lived on. But lack of funding and adequate upgrades did them in.
I'd say that the ISS could be made to last longer than 2016, so long as the support from members is still there. Then again, never know when some rouge piece of space junk can make the ISS damaged beyond repair.
mcdonaldcj
the sazme thing will happen to the International space station, that happened to the MIR space station, it's orbit will decay over time and it will burn up in the atmosphere and probably land in an ocean somewhere. although as we have done with the Hubble Space Telescope (due for it's last servicing mission in 2008 on STS-125) we could send something up to fix it and prolong it's life in space before it burns up.
stork5100
NASA will sell the ISS on eBay in 2016.
As is, where is.
Aref H4
If they put it up for rent, I'd be interested.
Aref