Latest news with #U.S.DeorbitVehicle
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Elon Musk wants to shut down the International Space Station for which Donald Trump just sanctioned $1.25 billion; says time to focus on ...
The world's richest man and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has triggered a debate by urging the retirement of the International Space Station (ISS), calling it a relic that's holding back humanity's cosmic ambitions. On July 3, Elon Musk took to Twitter to repost a summary of space-related funding in President Donald Trump's latest tax bill, which allocates $1.25 billion to sustain the ISS through 2030. Musk's blunt response: 'It's time to retire the Space Station and focus on Mars'. Musk's post sparked a heated online debate, with supporters cheering his bold vision and critics defending the ISS as a cornerstone of global scientific collaboration. The ISS, said to be a marvel of engineering orbiting 250 miles above Earth, has been a hub for groundbreaking research since its first module launched in 1998. But at over two decades old, the station is showing its age. NASA has acknowledged that critical systems, including life support and structural components, are nearing the end of their operational life. The tax bill also includes $325 million to fund a safe deorbit process by 2030, signaling that the station's days are numbered. Last year, NASA awarded SpaceX an $843 million contract to build a U.S. Deorbit Vehicle to guide the ISS to a controlled reentry, ensuring it burns up safely over a remote part of the Pacific Ocean. Why Elon Musk wants ISS deorbited Elon Musk argues that the ISS's mounting maintenance costs -- estimated at $3-4 billion annually -- are a drain on resources that could be better spent on humanity's next frontier: Mars. 'The ISS was a great achievement, but it's a 20th-century project,' Musk said in a follow-up post on Twitter. 'If we want to become a multi-planetary species, we need to stop tinkering with old hardware and go all-in on Mars.' His vision for a self-sustaining Martian colony has been a cornerstone of SpaceX's mission since its founding in 2002, with the company's Starship rocket designed to carry crews and cargo to the Red Planet. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Providers are furious: Internet access without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo What supporters of International Space Station say Critics, however, argue that Musk's push to abandon the ISS overlooks its ongoing contributions. The station hosts experiments in microgravity that have advanced medical research, materials science, and our understanding of long-term space habitation -- knowledge critical for Mars missions. 'The ISS isn't just a lab; it's a symbol of what nations can achieve together,' said Dr. Ellen Stofan, former NASA chief scientist, in a statement to Reuters. 'Dismissing it prematurely risks losing that momentum.' The ISS is a joint effort of the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada, and its cooperative framework has weathered geopolitical tensions, including recent strains with Russia over Ukraine. Elon Musk's 'time to retire ISS' divides the internet Public reaction on Twitter too reflect the divide. 'Musk is right—ISS is a money pit. Mars is the future,' posted user @SpacePioneer2030, echoing sentiments from those who see the station as outdated. Others, like @AstroGeek42, countered: 'The ISS still delivers science you can't get anywhere else. Why ditch it before we're ready?' The debate underscores a broader tension in space policy: balancing immediate scientific gains with long-term exploration goals. NASA's current plan keeps the ISS operational until 2030, with private space stations like Axiom Space's proposed orbital habitat expected to fill the gap. But Musk's comments suggest he'd rather see that transition happen sooner. SpaceX, which already ferries astronauts and supplies to the ISS, is positioned to play a key role in both the station's end and the next chapter of space exploration. The company's reusable rockets have slashed launch costs, making ambitious projects like Mars missions more feasible. The tax bill's funding for the ISS and its deorbit underscores a pragmatic reality: the station's end is inevitable. Yet Musk's call to shift focus to Mars raises questions about priorities in an era of constrained budgets and competing global challenges. As one senior NASA official, speaking anonymously, told The Washington Post, 'Elon's not wrong that Mars is the big goal, but the ISS is still teaching us how to get there. It's not an either-or situation—yet."
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Elon Musk wants International Space Station retired after Donald Trump's Tax Bill allocates $1.25 billion, says: ‘It's time to focus on Mars'
has once again drawn attention to his long-term vision for space exploration by calling for the retirement of the International Space Station (ISS). On July 3, 2025, the CEO reposted a tweet outlining the space-related allocations in President 's latest tax bill, which included $1.25 billion for the ISS. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Musk shared a pointed remark: 'It's time to retire the Space Station and focus on Mars.' The post quickly ignited debate online, with some supporting his forward-looking stance while others defended the ISS's ongoing role in science and international cooperation. The bill also provides $325 million for a safe deorbit process by 2030, acknowledging that the station's end is approaching. Why Elon Musk wants to shut down the International Space Station Musk has frequently criticized the ISS as an aging infrastructure that no longer justifies its high cost. In his view, the station's limited capabilities and growing maintenance risks outweigh its scientific value. Many of the ISS's modules are more than two decades old and were not designed to operate this long. Musk believes continued investment in the station diverts resources away from more ambitious goals, such as crewed missions to Mars. He has argued that Mars colonization is not just a dream but a necessary step for the survival of humanity, and funds should be directed toward that mission. Aging infrastructure and deorbit plans already underway has acknowledged the ISS cannot remain in orbit indefinitely. Several key systems aboard the station are nearing the end of their functional lifespan. To address this, NASA awarded SpaceX an $843 million contract to develop a U.S. Deorbit Vehicle, which will guide the ISS back to Earth in a controlled descent around 2030. The tax bill's $325 million allocation for deorbit operations reinforces that timeline. While Musk supports this transition, he suggests it should happen sooner rather than later to free up funding for next-generation missions. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Divided response to Musk's Mars-first approach Musk's comments sparked a wave of reactions. Supporters argue that his focus on Mars is visionary and practical, given rapid advances in private space technology. They say the ISS has already delivered enormous value and it's time to invest in the next phase of space exploration. However, critics warn that phasing out the ISS too early could hinder critical microgravity research, space medicine trials, and international partnerships that still rely on the platform. Many believe a gradual shift, rather than an abrupt cutoff, is the smarter path forward.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump's Threat to Kill SpaceX Presents One Hidden Safety Concern
Because of a political fallout, tech mogul and SpaceX owner Elon Musk has now attracted the verbal ire of President Trump. While sparring over social media, the President suggested that he could and would cancel Musk's government contracts relative to SpaceX. Briefly, this led Musk to claim that SpaceX would "decommission" the crucial Dragon spacecraft, but later reversed his position, saying, "Ok, we won't decommission Dragon." This is the very same type of vessel which recently led to the rescue of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunni Williams who were stranded on the International Space Station for much longer than originally planned. And it's the fate of the International Space Station that is actually the number one reason why an utterly defunded SpaceX might be a very dangerous thing. In 2024, NASA awarded SpaceX a contract valued at $843 million. The purpose? To deorbit the International Space Station by the end of the decade. Basically, the ISS is not designed to stay in orbit forever, and before it is replaced by something more permanent, it will have to be safely moved to a low Earth orbit. This means that SpaceX is currently tasked by the U.S. government to build the United States Deorbit Vehicle (USDV). "Selecting a U.S. Deorbit Vehicle for the International Space Station will help NASA and its international partners ensure a safe and responsible transition in low Earth orbit at the end of station operations," Ken Bowersox said in a NASA statement last a hypothetical world in which Trump decides to rescind all government contracts for SpaceX, that would presumably include killing the all-important job of SpaceX building the USDV. And if SpaceX doesn't build the USDV, who will help mitigate the very real fallout of a large space station? Again, hypothetically, there are other organizations that have spacecraft, but as the stranding of Wilmore and Williams recently demonstrated, SpaceX has proven to be the most reliable way for the U.S. to get people in and out of space. In fact, the whole reason that Wilmore and Williams were stranded was because the Boeing Starliner — a rival aerospace venture to SpaceX — was unable to complete a return trip because of safety concerns. Concurrent with all of this, Blue Origin's New Glenn craft isn't even close to being ready. Notably, Blue Origin's other craft, the New Shepard, isn't designed to go far enough into space to be useful to the ISS. One might wonder if SpaceX really needs the money. And it's possible the company doesn't. As Musk pointed out on June 3, the entirety of what NASA pays to SpaceX ($1.1 billion) is dwarfed by SpaceX's current revenue ($15.5 billion). Basically, SpaceX's Starlink services are making plenty of money for the company, so if Trump rescinded even just that contract valued at roughly $800 million, it wouldn't come close to putting SpaceX out of business. Legally, Trump might be able to try and sever ties between SpaceX and the U.S. government, specifically, NASA. But practically speaking, this seems very unlikely long-term. Right now, SpaceX is the best bet for creating a safe deorbit for the ISS. And, if any more astronauts get stranded — from any country — it seems like Musk's Dragons are still the most reliable space Threat to Kill SpaceX Presents One Hidden Safety Concern first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 6, 2025
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Elon Musk calls for 'deorbiting' International Space Station to prioritize Mars missions
Billionaire business tycoon Elon Musk suggested that the International Space Station should be scrapped sooner rather than later. "It is time to begin preparations for deorbiting the @Space_Station," he posted on Thursday. "It has served its purpose. There is very little incremental utility. Let's go to Mars." NASA announced last year that Musk's SpaceX had been tapped to make a de-orbit vehicle. Us Prepares To Deorbit International Space Station Amid China Competition "As the agency transitions to commercially owned space destinations closer to home, it is crucial to prepare for the safe and responsible deorbit of the International Space Station in a controlled manner after the end of its operational life in 2030," the agency noted. "NASA announced SpaceX has been selected to develop and deliver the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle that will provide the capability to deorbit the space station and ensure avoidance of risk to populated areas." In a post on Thursday, Musk suggested de-orbiting the space station even sooner. Read On The Fox News App "The decision is up to the President, but my recommendation is as soon as possible. I recommend 2 years from now," he noted. Spacex Makes History After Launching Rocket From Florida And Landing Booster In Bahamas Retired NASA astronaut and International Space Station Commander Leroy Chiao told "FOX & Friends" Friday that the space station is a "great research laboratory" and testing location for systems that will be needed to send humans to Mars. "I absolutely agree that Mars is the next big goal," Chiao said. "That's a great goal…getting humans to Mars. But you know, the space station is a part of that." Musk blasted former International Space Station Commander Andreas Mogensen of Denmark on Thursday after Mogensen rejected Musk's claim that two of the astronauts aboard the space station had been "left up there for political reasons" by the Biden administration. "What a lie. And from someone who complains about lack of honesty from the mainstream media," Mogensen wrote. Nasa, Spacex Reveal New Date To Return Stranded Starliner Crew Back To Earth "SpaceX could have brought them back several months ago. I OFFERED THIS DIRECTLY to the Biden administration and they refused. Return WAS pushed back for political reasons. Idiot," Musk fired article source: Elon Musk calls for 'deorbiting' International Space Station to prioritize Mars missions
Fox News
21-02-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Elon Musk calls for 'deorbiting' International Space Station to prioritize Mars missions
Billionaire business tycoon Elon Musk suggested that the International Space Station should be scrapped sooner rather than later. "It is time to begin preparations for deorbiting the @Space_Station," he posted on Thursday. "It has served its purpose. There is very little incremental utility. Let's go to Mars." NASA announced last year that Musk's SpaceX had been tapped to make a de-orbit vehicle. "As the agency transitions to commercially owned space destinations closer to home, it is crucial to prepare for the safe and responsible deorbit of the International Space Station in a controlled manner after the end of its operational life in 2030," the agency noted. "NASA announced SpaceX has been selected to develop and deliver the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle that will provide the capability to deorbit the space station and ensure avoidance of risk to populated areas." In a post on Thursday, Musk suggested de-orbiting the space station even sooner. "The decision is up to the President, but my recommendation is as soon as possible. I recommend 2 years from now," he noted. Retired NASA astronaut and International Space Station Commander Leroy Chiao told "FOX & Friends" Friday that the space station is a "great research laboratory" and testing location for systems that will be needed to send humans to Mars. "I absolutely agree that Mars is the next big goal," Chiao said. "That's a great goal…getting humans to Mars. But you know, the space station is a part of that." Musk blasted former International Space Station Commander Andreas Mogensen of Denmark on Thursday after Mogensen rejected Musk's claim that two of the astronauts aboard the space station had been "left up there for political reasons" by the Biden administration. "What a lie. And from someone who complains about lack of honesty from the mainstream media," Mogensen wrote. "SpaceX could have brought them back several months ago. I OFFERED THIS DIRECTLY to the Biden administration and they refused. Return WAS pushed back for political reasons. Idiot," Musk fired back.
