Trump says envoy Witkoff had productive meeting with Putin
Investing.com -- SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has suggested that it’s time to commence preparations for deorbiting the International Space Station (ISS), arguing that the station has served its purpose and offers little incremental utility. Musk’s vision is to redirect resources towards Mars colonization, aiming to make humanity a multiplanetary species.
NASA’s current strategy is to maintain the ISS operational until 2030, after which SpaceX’s U.S. Deorbit Vehicle would guide it safely into a remote area of the Pacific Ocean, avoiding populated regions. However, Musk is advocating for an earlier deorbit, within two years.
Janet Petro, NASA’s acting administrator, recently indicated that Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is reviewing NASA’s spending. This could potentially impact both the ISS and Mars plans. SpaceX’s goal is to launch uncrewed Starship missions to Mars in 2026, followed by crewed missions in 2028. The company plans to use the reusable Starship to transport equipment and settlers to establish a self-sustaining colony on Mars.
The ISS has long been an international hub for scientific research. Despite this, Musk contends that its utility is diminishing and believes that investment should be directed towards Mars exploration to ensure the long-term survival of humanity.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.