SCIENCE

How NASA will bring down the ISS in 2031

By Sanjana Shankar

1

ISS operations

NASA plans to operate the International Space Station (ISS) until 2030 and safely crash it into the Pacific Ocean in early 2031.

2

Space station structure

ISS is made up of modules, radiators, and truss structures. The truss supports solar arrays, radiators, and pressurized modules for experiments and astronauts.

3

Lifespan of ISS

The ISS's lifespan depends on its primary structure, which is affected by dockings and thermal recycling, while other systems can be fixed in orbit.

4

ISS disintegration

ISS will be broken up in a series of three events starting with the solar arrays, resulting in most of its hardware burning up or vaporizing during atmospheric re-entry.

5

Splashdown in Pacific

Denser parts of the ISS and heat-resistant components like truss sections, which are expected to survive re-entry, will splash down in the South Pacific Ocean.

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