{"id":191338,"date":"2025-10-05T10:22:09","date_gmt":"2025-10-05T10:22:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/191338\/"},"modified":"2025-10-05T10:22:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-05T10:22:09","slug":"as-nasas-iss-celebrates-25-years-of-humans-living-in-space-whats-ahead-for-space-stations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/191338\/","title":{"rendered":"As NASA’s ISS celebrates 25 years of humans living in space, what’s ahead for space stations"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s official. Not a single person under the age of 25 has lived a day where there has not been a human orbiting Earth \u2212 and that is likely to never change.<\/a><\/p>\n

On Nov. 2, 2000, Expedition 1 arrived at the still-under-construction International Space Station. And since that day, this outpost that orbits 250 miles above the Earth has never been uninhabited even as its construction continued.<\/p>\n

That’s almost 25 years of human life traveling around the Earth 16 times a day.<\/p>\n

The space station is the size of a football field with a habitable interior about as big as a six bedroom house. Onboard, crews ranging in number from seven to 13 live and work together for stays that can be as short as seven days or as long as a year.<\/p>\n

But this 27-year effort \u2212 with the first pieces launched in 1998 \u2212 to build a truly global orbiting outpost is coming to the end of its lifetime. NASA has begun making retirement plans for the space station. SpaceX is contracted to provide the vehicle that will safely deorbit the space station<\/a> into the ocean \u2212 sometime after 2030.<\/p>\n

How the ISS started<\/p>\n

The space station began as a partnership between NASA and ROSOSMOS, the Russian Space Agency, but expanded to involve many other nations as well.<\/p>\n

As of August 2025, 290 individuals from 26 countries\u00a0have visited the station.<\/a> Astronauts and cosmonauts are the primary visitors but it has also welcomed a few space tourists as well as private industry astronauts. It’s also been a port for multiple spacecraft from Russia’s Soyuz to the now-retired American space shuttle, as well as SpaceX Dragon, the ill-fated Boeing Starliner and American, Russian, European and Japanese cargo ships.<\/p>\n

For those who played a role in its 23-year construction \u2212 the final Russian module added in late 2021 \u2212 the space station remains one of the world’s most impressive spacefaring achievements.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey said building the space station was like building a submarine<\/a> while you\u2019re trying to live in it,\u201d former NASA astroanut Chris Ferguson said in an interview with FLORIDA TODAY.<\/p>\n

Former NASA astronaut Bill McArthur flew on space shuttle mission STS-92, which was an early major construction mission for the space station. Launched in October 2000, McArthur\u2019s mission installed the Zenith Z1 Truss, which was the first permanent fixture of the ISS.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a thrill,\u201d said McArthur. \u201cWe were building the International Space Station. We didn\u2019t visit it \u2212 we built it.”<\/p>\n

Ferguson first visited the ISS as the pilot of the STS-115 mission, which resumed construction on the space station in September 2006 following the 2003 Columbia tragedy.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s amazing how they managed to make these changes so they could add on large modules or relocate modules to get towards a final configuration, while still allowing day to day life and science,\u201d said Ferguson.<\/p>\n

Ferguson returned to the ISS on STS-126 in 2008, and again on the final space shuttle mission, STS-135, in 2011.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery time I went it looked dramatically different,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"NASA<\/p>\n

NASA astronaut Chris Ferguson (center right) poses with the crew of STS-135 – which was the final space shuttle mission. Also pictured are Doug Hurley (center left), Rex Walheim and Sandy Magnus.<\/p>\n

Even during times when construction slowed, habitation never ceased. For example, American astronauts stayed onboard during the grounding of the space shuttle after the Columbia tragedy in 2003.<\/p>\n

McArthur was onboard from October 2005 to April 2006, a period when shuttle flights were just resuming following the tragedy. Science was slow, and contruction had come to a halt.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were caretakers. We were there because realistically the likelihood of ISS\u2019s falling without a crew onboard goes up pretty significantly,\u201d McArthur told FLORIDA TODAY.<\/p>\n

\"NASA<\/p>\n

NASA astronaut Bill McArthur (left) and cosmonaut Valery Tokarev (right) made up Expedition 12, staying onboard the ISS from Nov. 2005 until Apr. 2006.<\/p>\n

McArthur believes those missions safeguarded the future, enabling those living on the ISS today to conduct ground-breaking research.<\/p>\n

Ferguson agrees. He noted that people lived on the ISS during the 9\/11 terror attacks, as well as throughout the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n

\u201cThink about all the things we\u2019ve managed to overcome \u2212 whether it was something in space or something more terrestrial, but they were global events and we just sort of plowed through and kept doing it,\u201d Ferguson said.<\/p>\n

ISS dangers in orbit<\/p>\n

But it wasn’t always easy or smooth.<\/p>\n

The International Space Station is the longest operating space station in history. Its Russian predecessor, the Mir space station, only hosted crews for a total of 14 years \u2212 lasting from 1986 until 2000.<\/p>\n

In addition to the ISS beginning to show its age, space can serve as a constant threat to humans onboard. Factors ranging from solar storms to orbital debris and even human or machine error can jeopardize the lives of those living on the outpost.<\/p>\n

In November 2024, the thrusters on a Russian Progress spacecraft, docked to the station, needed to be fired to adjust the orbit <\/a>of the ISS in order to move it out of the path of debris from a since destroyed defense satellite. It was estimated that debris would have come within two and a half miles of the ISS \u2212 too close to be safe. Since debris orbits Earth alongside the ISS at speeds of over 17,000 mph, a collision could be catastrophic.<\/p>\n

The ISS has also seen its share of incidents and leaks which have possibly come from small collisions. In October 2023, the ISS suffered its third coolant leak in the span of a year when a backup\u00a0ammonia coolant\u00a0radiator on the Russian Nauka module began spewing the coolant into space — giving off an effect that looked like snow. The Russian Space Agency cited damage from orbital debris or micrometeoroids as the cause.<\/p>\n

But it’s not just the harsh environment of space \u2212 machine error can be a threat, too.<\/p>\n

In July 2021, the same Russian Nauka module, which had just been installed, experienced an unexpected firing of its thrusters. The unplanned motion briefly moved the ISS out of orientation. While NASA claimed the crew onboard was never in danger,<\/a> it served as a reminder of the risk of mechanical or computer errors.<\/p>\n

When is the next Florida rocket launch? Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, Blue Origin, NASA launch schedule at Cape Canaveral<\/a><\/p>\n

What comes after NASA’s International Space Station?<\/p>\n

When the space station is retired, it will bring an end to a global experiment. But it’s not likely to bring an end to human habitation in orbit.<\/p>\n

Even with its sights and budget aimed at the moon and Mars, NASA has begun the work to transition activities on low Earth orbit to commercial contracts<\/a>, meaning using space stations created by private companies.<\/p>\n

Axiom, VAST, and Voyager are working to launch orbiting space stations within the coming years.<\/p>\n

But why would NASA continue to pour money and resources into low Earth orbit after a continuous presence of three decades?<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s going to be a day when we leave Earth orbit and we go to Mars, or someplace else,\u201d said Ferguson. \u201cThat\u2019s a three-year trip back and forth, and we\u2019re going to have to have all of this figured out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Those close calls on the ISS throughout the years serve as a reminder of just how treacherous spaceflight can be \u2212 and that’s only 250 miles above Earth’s surface.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s going to be no margin for error, because there\u2019s no turning back,\u201d said Ferguson. \u201cYou can\u2019t stop halfway. There\u2019s no Ace Hardware. You have to pack for a journey where you really don\u2019t know what\u2019s going to happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

What is the next step?<\/p>\n

\u201cNASA is using a phased approach to support the design, development, and demonstration of commercially owned and operated space stations in low Earth orbit from which NASA, along with other customers can purchase services and stimulate the growth of commercial activities in a microgravity marketplace,\u201d NASA\u2019s website states<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Axiom Space is the most involved. Axiom has already had four astronaut crews visit the ISS in preparation, each one led by a former NASA astronaut. Most recent was the Axiom Space Mission 4 in June 2025<\/a>, which was commanded by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson.<\/p>\n

Axiom holds an upwards of $140 million contract with NASA for a module, known as Habitat 1, which will attach to the Node 2 forward port of ISS before its retirement — and subsequently detach to become an independent station.<\/p>\n

After detached, Axiom will continue building the Axiom Station, adding an airlock, Habitat 2 module, and the Research and Manufacturing Facility.<\/p>\n

Voyager Space reports that it has been awarded $217.5 million for its Starlab program. The Starlab space station is a joint venture across Voyager Technologies, Airbus, Mitsubishi, MDA Space, and Palantir Technologies. The main structure will be manufactured by Vivace Corporation.<\/p>\n

Starlab boasts \u201ca next-generation, AI-enabled commercial space station\u201d.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Vast Space plans to launch its Haven-1 as soon as May 2026, reporting on Sept. 17 that Haven-1 is fully welded and ready to begin testing.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe world\u2019s first commercial space station,\u201d reads Vast\u2019s website.<\/p>\n

Vast Space is not under contract with NASA but plans to support both private and government missions.<\/p>\n

Of course, these space stations are likely to see a tourism industry for those wealthy enough to afford a heavy price tag \u2212 after all, we have already seen many tourists fly to the ISS on the Russian Soyuz over the years.<\/p>\n

McArthur noted that while some may envision a space station equipped with artificial gravity, that wouldn’t be practical for research. Though, tourists might enjoy it.<\/p>\n

“You take away the unique research environment,\u201d said McArthur.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt allows us to study materials \u2212 whether they are just construction materials, or alloys, or biological samples \u2212 we can study them in an environment that takes away the effects of gravity here on Earth so we can develop a more fundamental understanding of how these objects behave,” said McArthur.<\/p>\n

By involving the private sector in an orbiting outpost, NASA can fully shift its focus to the moon. The space station is expensive to maintain, costing upwards of $3 billion per year in NASA’s budget.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn spite of what NASA has learned on station over the last 25 years, and what will continue to learn until 2030, there will always be more to learn,\u201d said Ferguson.<\/p>\n

NASA plans to return to the moon and stay with the Artemis program <\/a>\u2212 currently funded through Artemis V. Artemis II is set to fly around the moon on a test fligh no earlier than Februaby 2026, with Artemis III set to land astronauts on the moon for the first time since the Apollo missions.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnce we figure that out, then it will be time to go to Mars,\u201d McArthur said.<\/p>\n

Notable International Space Station highlights<\/p>\n

November 20, 1998 \u2212 The first module of the International Space Station, Zarya, was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan aboard a Russian Proton rocket.<\/p>\n

December 4, 1998 \u2212 The first American module of the International Space Station, Unity (Node 1), launched aboard the STS-88 space shuttle mission (Endeavour).<\/p>\n

May 1999 – The STS-96 mission (Discovery) marks the first space shuttle mission to dock to ISS.<\/p>\n

July 12, 2000 – Russian module Zvezda arrives.<\/p>\n

November 2, 2000 \u2212 The first crew to live and work on the International Space Station, Expedition 1, arrives. The three-person crew consisted of NASA astronaut William Shepherd and cosmonauts Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev. The four-month mission launched on a Russian Soyuz.<\/p>\n

November 30, 2000 \u2013 First solar arrays arrive aboard the Space Shuttle STS-97 mission (Endeavour).<\/p>\n

Feb 7, 2001 \u2013 U.S. Destiny lab added.<\/p>\n

April 2001 \u2013 First private citizen, Dennis Tito, launches to ISS aboard a Russian Soyuz.<\/p>\n

April 19, 2001 \u2013 Canadarm2 launched to the ISS on the STS-100 Space Shuttle (Endeavour) mission.<\/p>\n

July 28, 2005 \u2013 The STS-114 mission (Discovery) marked the first shuttle to arrive post-Columbia tragedy.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Feb 7, 2008 – European Space Agency’s Columbus Laboratory added.<\/p>\n

March 11, 2008 \u2013 JAXA Kibo laboratory added.<\/p>\n

April 3, 2008 \u2013 ESA European Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) arrives at the ISS for the first time.<\/p>\n

Sep 10, 2009 \u2013 JAXA H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) cargo spacecraft first arrives at the ISS.<\/p>\n

July 8, 2011 \u2212 Last Space Shuttle mission \u2013 STS-135 (Atlantis) \u2212 launched.<\/p>\n

May 25, 2012 \u2013 First SpaceX Dragon reaches ISS, becoming first private company to dock a spacecraft to the ISS. It was the COTS 2 mission. SpaceX was contracted by NASA to deliver cargo to the ISS after the shuttle retired. This Dragon spacecraft is in the Gateway exhibit at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.<\/p>\n

September 29, 2013 \u2212 Orbital Sciences\u2019 Cygnus docks to ISS after launching from Wallops Island, VA. The company merged with Alliant Techsystems in 2014 before being purchased by Northrop Grumman in 2018.<\/p>\n

May 30, 2020 \u2013 SpaceX launches DEMO-2, marking the first private company to deliver NASA astronauts to the ISS. The mission certified SpaceX to ferry NASA astronauts.<\/p>\n

November 15, 2020 \u2212 SpaceX Crew-1 launched.<\/p>\n

June 5, 2024 \u2212 Boeing Starliner spacecraft launches flight test crew to ISS, docking after helium leaks and thruster issues plague the spacecraft.<\/p>\n

Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at\u00a0bedwards@floridatoday.com<\/a>\u00a0or on X:\u00a0@brookeofstars<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: NASA’s ISS marks 25 years of humans in orbit, what’s the future hold?<\/a><\/p>\n