{"id":531830,"date":"2023-09-29T12:09:07","date_gmt":"2023-09-29T16:09:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?post_type=topic&p=531830"},"modified":"2023-09-29T12:44:53","modified_gmt":"2023-09-29T16:44:53","slug":"faqs-the-international-space-station-transition-plan","status":"publish","type":"topic","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/faqs-the-international-space-station-transition-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQs : The International Space Station Transition Plan"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\" hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-secondary-navigation\"><div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-wrapper z-top width-100 padding-0\"><div id=\"\" class=\"hds-secondary-navigation width-full border-bottom-1px text-center hds-color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-hdsnav\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"hds-secondary-nav-mobile-button display-flex tablet:display-flex desktop:display-none width-full flex-align-center bg-carbon-90 border-color-carbon-80 color-spacesuit-white\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"hds-secondary-nav-track\"><span>ISS<\/span><svg width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><\/button><div class=\"hds-secondary-nav-track grid-container grid-container-extrawide padding-0 tablet:padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-2 \"><div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-menu-items\"><nav><ul class=\"usa-nav__primary usa-accordion flex-justify-center margin-0\"><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\">Station Home<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"basic-nav-section-one\"><span>Overview<\/span><svg class=\"hds-desktop-submenu-toggle-icon display-none tablet:display-none desktop:display-block\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><svg class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon display-block tablet:display-block desktop:display-none\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"8\" cy=\"8\" r=\"7.5\" fill=\"#0B3D91\" stroke=\"white\"\/><rect x=\"4\" y=\"7.6001\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" fill=\"white\"\/><rect class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon-line-vertical\" x=\"7.59998\" y=\"12\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" transform=\"rotate(-90 7.59998 12)\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/button><ul id=\"basic-nav-section-one\" class=\"usa-nav__submenu\" hidden><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/space-station-overview\/\">Station Overview<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/reference\/international-space-station\/\">International Space Station Reference<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/international-space-station-assembly-elements\/\">Station Assembly Elements<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/ground-facilities\/\">Ground Facilities<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/space-station-international-cooperation\/\">International Cooperation<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/space-station-facts-and-figures\/\">Station Facts<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/space-station-visitors-by-country\">Station Visitors<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/space-station-astronaut-record-holders\">Station Record Holders<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/np-2015-05-022-jsc-iss-guide-2015-update-111015-508c.pdf?emrc=59b06a\">Reference Guide to the International Space Station (PDF)<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/lg-2023-05-010-jsc-iss-litho-updates.pdf?emrc=247539\">Station Lithograph (PDF)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"basic-nav-section-one\"><span>Station Topics<\/span><svg class=\"hds-desktop-submenu-toggle-icon display-none tablet:display-none desktop:display-block\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><svg class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon display-block tablet:display-block desktop:display-none\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"8\" cy=\"8\" r=\"7.5\" fill=\"#0B3D91\" stroke=\"white\"\/><rect x=\"4\" y=\"7.6001\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" fill=\"white\"\/><rect class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon-line-vertical\" x=\"7.59998\" y=\"12\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" transform=\"rotate(-90 7.59998 12)\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/button><ul id=\"basic-nav-section-one\" class=\"usa-nav__submenu\" hidden><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/space-station-research-and-technology\/\">Your Orbiting Laboratory<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/expedition-missions-content-list\/\">International Space Station Expeditions<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/space-station-visiting-vehicles\">Visiting Vehicles<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/space-station-spacewalks\/\">Station Spacewalks<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"basic-nav-section-one\"><span>Multimedia<\/span><svg class=\"hds-desktop-submenu-toggle-icon display-none tablet:display-none desktop:display-block\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><svg class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon display-block tablet:display-block desktop:display-none\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"8\" cy=\"8\" r=\"7.5\" fill=\"#0B3D91\" stroke=\"white\"\/><rect x=\"4\" y=\"7.6001\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" fill=\"white\"\/><rect class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon-line-vertical\" x=\"7.59998\" y=\"12\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" transform=\"rotate(-90 7.59998 12)\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/button><ul id=\"basic-nav-section-one\" class=\"usa-nav__submenu\" hidden><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/space-station-gallery\/\">Space Station Imagery<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLTXQuaxXBKKwtqw9fmVw9YnMKxz6FcmWf\" rel=\"noopener\">Space Station Videos (YouTube)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/international-space-station-news\/\">News Releases<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/spacestation\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Station Blogs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-0 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-page-intro\">\n\t<div class=\"padding-0 bg-spacesuit-white wp-block-nasa-blocks-page-intro\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-page-intro width-full maxw-full padding-y-6 padding-x-4\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-container grid-container-block\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 desktop:padding-right-4 margin-bottom-3 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-none desktop:display-block margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-18\">Frequently Asked Questions About\u00a0<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"heading-41\"><strong>The International Space Station Transition Plan<\/strong><\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p-lg margin-0 margin-bottom-2\"><em>This article was updated Sept. 20, 2023<\/em><strong><em>,<\/em><\/strong><em> to reflect the latest information on the U.S. deorbit spacecraft.<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 desktop:padding-left-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-gap-lg flex-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-6 margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#q1\" class=\"display-flex line-height-sm color-carbon-black text-no-underline flex-align-center border-bottom-1px border-color-carbon-30-important padding-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>What comes after ISS?\u00a0<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-0\" width=\"8\" height=\"10\" viewBox=\"0 0 8 10\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M3.40281 4.46225e-07L3.40281 7.87725L0.836149 5.47479L4.90799e-07 6.25727L4 10L8 6.25727L7.16385 5.47479L4.59719 7.87725L4.59719 6.0285e-07L3.40281 4.46225e-07Z\" fill=\"black\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-6 margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#q2\" class=\"display-flex line-height-sm color-carbon-black text-no-underline flex-align-center border-bottom-1px border-color-carbon-30-important padding-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Why is NASA planning for the end of ISS?\u00a0<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-0\" width=\"8\" height=\"10\" viewBox=\"0 0 8 10\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M3.40281 4.46225e-07L3.40281 7.87725L0.836149 5.47479L4.90799e-07 6.25727L4 10L8 6.25727L7.16385 5.47479L4.59719 7.87725L4.59719 6.0285e-07L3.40281 4.46225e-07Z\" fill=\"black\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-6 margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#q3\" class=\"display-flex line-height-sm color-carbon-black text-no-underline flex-align-center border-bottom-1px border-color-carbon-30-important padding-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Why did NASA decide to deorbit the ISS?<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-0\" width=\"8\" height=\"10\" viewBox=\"0 0 8 10\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M3.40281 4.46225e-07L3.40281 7.87725L0.836149 5.47479L4.90799e-07 6.25727L4 10L8 6.25727L7.16385 5.47479L4.59719 7.87725L4.59719 6.0285e-07L3.40281 4.46225e-07Z\" fill=\"black\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-6 margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#q4\" class=\"display-flex line-height-sm color-carbon-black text-no-underline flex-align-center border-bottom-1px border-color-carbon-30-important padding-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>How will NASA deorbit the ISS?\u00a0 <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-0\" width=\"8\" height=\"10\" viewBox=\"0 0 8 10\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M3.40281 4.46225e-07L3.40281 7.87725L0.836149 5.47479L4.90799e-07 6.25727L4 10L8 6.25727L7.16385 5.47479L4.59719 7.87725L4.59719 6.0285e-07L3.40281 4.46225e-07Z\" fill=\"black\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-6 margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#q5\" class=\"display-flex line-height-sm color-carbon-black text-no-underline flex-align-center border-bottom-1px border-color-carbon-30-important padding-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>What is the status of the deorbit spacecraft?\u00a0<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-0\" width=\"8\" height=\"10\" viewBox=\"0 0 8 10\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M3.40281 4.46225e-07L3.40281 7.87725L0.836149 5.47479L4.90799e-07 6.25727L4 10L8 6.25727L7.16385 5.47479L4.59719 7.87725L4.59719 6.0285e-07L3.40281 4.46225e-07Z\" fill=\"black\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-6 margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#q6\" class=\"display-flex line-height-sm color-carbon-black text-no-underline flex-align-center border-bottom-1px border-color-carbon-30-important padding-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>More Questions <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-0\" width=\"8\" height=\"10\" viewBox=\"0 0 8 10\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M3.40281 4.46225e-07L3.40281 7.87725L0.836149 5.47479L4.90799e-07 6.25727L4 10L8 6.25727L7.16385 5.47479L4.59719 7.87725L4.59719 6.0285e-07L3.40281 4.46225e-07Z\" fill=\"black\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-image-carousel grid-container grid-container-block padding-top-8 padding-bottom-8 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-image-carousel\">\t\t<div class=\"hds-carousel-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"image-carousel-slider margin-0\" id=\"image-carousel-slider\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-block width-full\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"margin-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper hds-image-carousel-slide margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/51752252125_be036501b8_k.jpeg?w=1024\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"This mosaic depicts the International Space Station pictured from the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour during a fly around of the orbiting lab that took place following its undocking from the Harmony module\u2019s space-facing port on Nov. 8, 2021.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/51752252125_be036501b8_k.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/51752252125_be036501b8_k.jpeg?resize=300,199 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/51752252125_be036501b8_k.jpeg?resize=768,510 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/51752252125_be036501b8_k.jpeg?resize=1024,681 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/51752252125_be036501b8_k.jpeg?resize=1536,1021 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/51752252125_be036501b8_k.jpeg?resize=400,266 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/51752252125_be036501b8_k.jpeg?resize=600,399 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/51752252125_be036501b8_k.jpeg?resize=900,598 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/51752252125_be036501b8_k.jpeg?resize=1200,797 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/51752252125_be036501b8_k.jpeg?resize=2000,1329 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">This mosaic depicts the International Space Station pictured from the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour during a fly around of the orbiting lab that took place following its undocking from the Harmony module\u2019s space-facing port on Nov. 8, 2021.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\"><strong><em>Credits: NASA<\/em><\/strong><\/div><\/figcaption><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-carousel-nav display-flex margin-left-auto margin-right-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<button class=\"hds-carousel-nav-arrow hds-carousel-arrow-prev\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"9px\" height=\"9px\" viewBox=\"0 0 9 9\"><path class=\"st0\" d=\"M3.5,4.5l3.7-3.6L6.3,0L1.8,4.5L6.3,9l0.9-0.9L3.5,4.5z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<button class=\"hds-carousel-nav-arrow hds-carousel-arrow-next margin-right-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"9px\" height=\"9px\" viewBox=\"0 0 9 9\"><path class=\"st0\" d=\"M5.5,4.5L1.8,8.1L2.7,9l4.5-4.5L2.7,0L1.8,0.9L5.5,4.5z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The International Space Station Transition Plan laid out NASA\u2019s vision for the next decade of the microgravity laboratory that is returning enormous scientific, educational, and technological developments to benefit people on Earth, and enabling our ability to travel into deep space. In the future, the United States plans to transition its operations in low Earth orbit to commercially-owned and -operated destinations to ensure continued access to essential research and technology development. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the conclusion of the International Space Station Program, the station will be deorbited in a controlled manner to ensure avoidance of populated areas on Earth. The station\u2019s safe deorbit is the shared responsibility of the five space agencies — including NASA, CSA (Canadian Space Agency), (ESA) European Space Agency, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), and the State Space Corporation Roscosmos — that have operated it since 1998.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NASA and the International Space Station partner agencies have studied options to safely deorbit the space station, including the option of using up to three Rosocomos Progress spacecraft at the end of station operations. These efforts indicated that a new or modified spacecraft is needed to provide more robust capabilities for deorbit. NASA has engaged with U.S. industry and is proceeding with plans to procure a spacecraft (U.S. Deorbit Vehicle) that will perform the final, safe, deorbit maneuver of the space station.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Below are a series of the most common questions about this subject with answers from NASA engineers and specialists. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"q1\"> <strong>What comes after the International Space Station?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is NASA\u2019s goal to be one of many customers in a robust commercial marketplace in low Earth orbit where in-orbit destinations as well as cargo and crew transportation, are available as services to the agency. As NASA transitions operations and services in low Earth orbit to private industry, the agency will focus on human missions beyond this region at the Moon and Mars. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NASA currently is using the International Space Station as a microgravity platform for scientific research and technology demonstrations. Over the past 22 years of continuous human presence, the agency has enabled industry growth using the International Space Station as a test bed from the development of commercial cargo and crew spacecraft, designating U.S. segment research time to the International Space Station National Laboratory, and providing a platform for commercial use, including private astronaut missions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The agency is also enabling private industry development of commercially owned and operated space stations, which are planned prior to the deorbit of the International Space Station to prevent a gap in services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the agency\u2019s Artemis missions at the Moon in preparation for future human exploration of Mars, we are building on the research and technology development on the space station to inform how we live and work in deep space.  <\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-featured-link-list bg-spacesuit-white padding-x-2 tablet:padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-4 padding-y-5 desktop:padding-y-6 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-featured-link-list\">\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block padding-0\">\n\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-22\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row padding-y-2 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-30-important\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row featured-link-list-row width-full flex-align-center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-2 desktop:grid-col-1 tablet:padding-right-3 desktop:padding-right-5\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"width-full\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper width-full ratio-1x1 radius-pill overflow-hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/iss056e201225-1.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"The International Space Station orbiting above Earth. Four large pairs of solar panels are seen on either side of the station.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 58% 60%; object-position: 58% 60%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/iss056e201225-1.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/iss056e201225-1.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/iss056e201225-1.jpg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/iss056e201225-1.jpg?resize=200,200 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-8 desktop:grid-col-10 padding-left-3 desktop:padding-left-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-36 margin-0\">Transition Plan<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p-md margin-0 color-carbon-black\">Learn more about the 2022 International Space Station Transition Plan<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-2 desktop:grid-col-1 display-flex flex-justify-end\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/nasa-provides-updated-international-space-station-transition-plan\/\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\">\n                            <svg class=\"hds-featured-link-list-button margin-left-auto margin-right-0\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\">\n                                <circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path>\n                            <\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"q2\"><strong>Why is NASA planning for the end of the International Space Station?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The International Space Station Program has maintained a continuous human presence aboard the microgravity laboratory for more than 22 years with assembly missions starting in 1998. Throughout the years, NASA and its international partners have worked together to operate, maintain, and upgrade parts of station. The technical lifetime of the station is limited by the primary structure, which includes the modules, radiators, and truss structures. The lifetime of the primary structure is affected by dynamic loading (such as spacecraft dockings and undockings) and orbital thermal cycling. NASA has committed to fully utilizing and safely operating the space station through 2030 as the agency works to enable and seamlessly transition to commercially-owned and operated platforms in low Earth orbit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This will allow NASA to buy the services it needs from commercial companies for microgravity research and technology demonstrations while the agency explores the Moon, Mars, and beyond. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"q3\"><strong>Why did NASA decide to deorbit the space station instead of alternative options?<\/strong>  <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>NASA examined several options for decommissioning of the International Space Station, including disassembly and return to Earth, boosting to a higher orbit, natural orbital decay with random re-entry, and controlled targeted re-entry to a remote ocean area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Disassembly and Return to Earth<\/strong>: The International Space Station modules and truss structure were not designed to be easily disassembled in space. The space station covers an area about the size of an American football field with initial assembly of the complex requiring 27 flights by NASA, using the since retired space shuttle with its large cargo bay and multiple international partner missions over a span of 13 years. In addition, new hardware has recently been added to the space station, including roll-out solar arrays and the Russian Nauka and Prichal modules. Any disassembly effort to safely return individual components faces significant logistical and financial challenges, requiring substantial work by astronauts and ground support personnel as well as a spacecraft with a return capability similar to that offered by the space shuttle\u2019s large cargo bay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Boost to Higher Orbit<\/strong>: The space station flies at an altitude where Earth\u2019s atmosphere still creates drag, requiring regular re-boosts to stay in orbit. The station operates in low Earth orbit above 400 km in altitude and has a mass of more than 430,000 kg. Depending on solar activity, the station\u2019s orbital lifetime (the amount of time before the station would naturally re-enter due to atmospheric drag alone) at this altitude is roughly one to two years. Decommissioning by boosting an object to a higher \u201cgraveyard\u201d orbit to extend orbital lifetime is often done with smaller satellites operating near geostationary orbits (~36,000 km in altitude). This is not a realistic target for space station decommissioning because of the large mass of the space station and distance from its operational altitude to a \u201cgraveyard\u201d orbit. Existing propulsive assets (spacecraft) do not have the capability to raise the space station\u2019s altitude to such a high target. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With current capability, it would be possible to raise the station\u2019s altitude enough to slightly extend the orbital lifetime, but not escape low Earth orbit. This disposal method carries a high risk to future operations in low Earth orbit since the station could not be refueled for debris avoidance maneuvers. A debris strike on space station poses critical risk to astronauts, could render the station uncontrollable, or create additional debris that would present a risk to other missions. Alternative propulsive methods to escape Earth\u2019s gravitational pull have been explored, but these options would require new hardware, a large amount of additional propellants, and would impose large additional cost burdens for the development, test, and deployment of these methods. Ultimately, this decommissioning strategy would only increase risk of station being struck by orbital debris and delay the uncontrolled re-entry of the space station to a later date. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Random vs. Controlled Re-entry:<\/strong>\u202fA natural orbital decay of the space station with a random re-entry cannot ensure that any surviving debris lands in a remote, unpopulated area. The risks to the population associated with an uncontrolled re-entry for space station are not acceptable. A propulsive maneuver is required to mitigate risk to people and property on Earth and ensuring a controlled re-entry, targeted into a remote, uninhabited area in the ocean. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"q4\"><strong>How will NASA deorbit the International Space Station?<\/strong>  <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The primary objective during space station deorbit operations is the responsible re-entry of the space station\u2019s structure into an unpopulated area in the ocean. The chosen approach for safe decommissioning is a combination of natural orbital decay, intentionally lowering the altitude of the station likely using current propulsive elements, and then execution of a re-entry maneuver for final targeting and to control the debris footprint. This final maneuver is expected to require a new or modified spacecraft using a large amount of propellant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Due to the high propellant requirement of this final maneuver, the Earth\u2019s natural atmospheric drag will be used as much as possible to lower station\u2019s altitude while setting up deorbit. Once all crew have safely returned to Earth, and after performing small maneuvers to line up the final target ground track and debris footprint over an uninhabited region of the ocean, space station operators will command a large re-entry burn, providing the final push ensure safe atmospheric entry into the target footprint. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"q5\"><strong>What is the status of the deorbit spacecraft?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A draft U.S. Deorbit Vehicle Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued in May 2023. A final RFP was released in September 2023. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"q6\"><strong>What happens when the space station deorbits? Will parts of the space station burn up?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The space station is by far the largest single structure ever built in space and represents physics and engineering challenges when it comes to re-entry modeling. The International Space Station is primarily made up of a combination of truss elements, modules, solar arrays, and radiators. The truss acts as the backbone of the station, providing physical support for the solar arrays, radiators, and modules. The various modules provide pressurized volume for the many microgravity experiments, a habitable area for crew, and ports for visiting spacecraft to dock and undock. The solar arrays and radiators provide power generation and thermal control for station hardware. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Based on behavior observed during the re-entry of other large structures such as Mir and Skylab, NASA engineers expect breakup to occur as a sequence of three events: solar array and radiator separation first, followed by breakup and separation of intact modules and the truss segment, and finally individual module fragmentation and loss of structural integrity of the truss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As the debris continues to re-enter the atmosphere, the external skin of the modules is expected to melt away and expose internal hardware to rapid heating and melting. Most station hardware is expected to burn up or vaporize during the intense heating associated with atmospheric re-entry, whereas some denser or heat-resistant components like truss sections are expected to survive re-entry and splash down within an uninhabited region of the ocean.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"q7\"><strong>Why doesn\u2019t NASA plan to repurpose part of the space station for future commercial use or educational purposes such as displaying its modules or parts in a museum?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>NASA will assess what internal components on the International Space Station could possibly be used on commercial destinations or returned for display. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After engaging via a Request for Information (RFI) to assess the possibility of reuse of the space station\u2019s major components, NASA received no viable interest from industry. International Space Station modules and major components have a specific power, data and structural architecture which may not be compatible with future platforms. Additionally, disassembly is very complex and costly, with some levels of disassembly being infeasible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NASA has entered into a contract for\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/press-release\/nasa-selects-first-commercial-destination-module-for-international-space-station\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">commercial modules<\/a>\u202fto be attached to a space station docking port with plans to later detach, and has awarded three space act agreements for design of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/press-release\/nasa-selects-companies-to-develop-commercial-destinations-in-space\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">free-flying commercial space stations<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, much of the structural hardware on station was designed and built in the late 1990s and 2000s. New commercial destinations will benefit from more recent technology advancements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Preserving the station in a museum presents significant logistical and financial challenges \u2013 please see the disassembly and return to Earth section above. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Are there any environmental hazards associated with bringing the space station back to Earth?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The decommissioning plan for space station is the execution of a responsible, controlled, and targeted deorbit into a remote ocean area. During descent through the Earth\u2019s atmosphere, the space station would burn, break up, and vaporize into fragments of various sizes. Some fragments would likely survive the thermal stresses of re-entry. Environmental impacts of these fragments within the anticipated impact area are expected to be small. To best protect people and property on Earth, the most remote areas of the ocean are targeted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once the debris enters the ocean, it is expected to settle to the ocean floor. Based on the findings of the <a href=\"https:\/\/ntrs.nasa.gov\/citations\/19960053133\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">International Space Station Environmental Impact Statement<\/a>, no substantial long-term impacts are expected. <\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-topic-cards nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-y-6 padding-x-3 color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-topic-cards\">\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block-lg padding-x-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-2\">Keep Exploring<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-36 line-height-sm\">Discover More Topics From NASA<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2 hds-topic-cards-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>International Space Station<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"853\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/International-Space-Station-in-2021.jpg?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/International-Space-Station-in-2021.jpg 4343w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/International-Space-Station-in-2021.jpg?resize=300,167 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/International-Space-Station-in-2021.jpg?resize=768,427 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/International-Space-Station-in-2021.jpg?resize=1024,569 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/International-Space-Station-in-2021.jpg?resize=1536,853 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/International-Space-Station-in-2021.jpg?resize=2048,1137 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/International-Space-Station-in-2021.jpg?resize=400,222 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/International-Space-Station-in-2021.jpg?resize=600,333 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/International-Space-Station-in-2021.jpg?resize=900,500 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/International-Space-Station-in-2021.jpg?resize=1200,666 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/International-Space-Station-in-2021.jpg?resize=2000,1111 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/benefits-to-humanity\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Benefits to Humanity<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1277\" src=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss036e006524\/iss036e006524~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1277&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss036e006524\/iss036e006524~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1277&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1920w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss036e006524\/iss036e006524~large.jpg?w=300&h=200&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss036e006524\/iss036e006524~large.jpg?w=768&h=511&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss036e006524\/iss036e006524~large.jpg?w=1024&h=681&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss036e006524\/iss036e006524~large.jpg?w=1536&h=1022&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss036e006524\/iss036e006524~large.jpg?w=400&h=266&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss036e006524\/iss036e006524~large.jpg?w=600&h=399&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss036e006524\/iss036e006524~large.jpg?w=900&h=599&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss036e006524\/iss036e006524~large.jpg?w=1200&h=798&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/benefits-to-science\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Benefits to Science<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"196\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/04_jsc2023e013681_sofie_gell_flames.jpg?w=320\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/04_jsc2023e013681_sofie_gell_flames.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/04_jsc2023e013681_sofie_gell_flames.jpg?resize=300,184 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Solar System<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/plugins\/nasa-blocks\/assets\/images\/topic-cards\/topic-card-sample-4.jpg\" ><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The International Space Station Transition Plan laid out NASA\u2019s vision for the next decade of the microgravity laboratory that is returning enormous scientific, educational, and technological developments to benefit people on Earth, and enabling our ability to travel into deep space. In the future, the United States plans to transition its operations in low Earth [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":433,"featured_media":130741,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[]},"categories":[2735],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[12640],"coauthors":[12387,12707],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"WebPage","headline":"FAQs : The International Space Station Transition Plan","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/faqs-the-international-space-station-transition-plan\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/faqs-the-international-space-station-transition-plan\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/51752252125_be036501b8_k.jpeg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/51752252125_be036501b8_k.jpeg"},"articleSection":"Missions","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Yvonne K. 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