arstechnica.com·May 22, 2026
The International Space Station (ISS), which has enabled continuous human presence in space, is set to be decommissioned by 2030, prompting discussions among experts on how to preserve its historical significance, given its size and complexity. A panel at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum recently convened to explore potential preservation strategies for this iconic artifact.
With the International Space Station (ISS) set to be decommissioned by 2030, there's a strategic opportunity for commercial space companies to develop new platforms for continuous human presence in orbit, potentially filling the gap left by the ISS's retirement.