ISS operations

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

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.

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.

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.

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.