Elon Musk calls for NASA ISS deorbit, says its ‘time to move on—let’s go to Mars!’
Elon Musk has urged the US government to begin preparations for deorbiting the ISS sooner than planned. «It has served its purpose. There is very little incremental utility. Let’s go to Mars,» Musk posted on X on 20 February. He later added, «The decision is up to the President, but my recommendation is as soon as possible. I recommend two years from now.»
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His comments come as the ISS, a joint effort between NASA, the Canadian Space Agency, the European Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and Russia’s Roscosmos, continues to show signs of ageing. The station has been in continuous operation since November 2000, playing a crucial role in human spaceflight research.
NASA’s Plans Remain Unchanged
Despite Musk’s call for an earlier exit, NASA and its international partners are sticking to their plan to deorbit the ISS in 2030.
In June 2024, NASA awarded SpaceX an $843 million contract to develop the United States Deorbit Vehicle (USDV). This spacecraft, based on SpaceX’s Dragon design, will safely guide the ISS into a controlled descent over the South Pacific to avoid populated areas.
However, Russia’s early departure from the programme in 2028 could complicate final operations, especially given its role in maintaining key station systems.
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