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February 7, 2026

Lawmakers ask what it would take to "store" the International Space Station

NASA shall evaluate the “viability of transferring the ISS to a safe orbital harbor” after retirement.

Lawmakers ask what it would take to "store" the International Space Station

TL;DR

  • The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee advanced a NASA authorization bill with an amendment to study storing the ISS.
  • The amendment requires NASA to assess the viability of moving the ISS to a safe orbital harbor for potential future reuse.
  • This contrasts with NASA's current plan to deorbit the ISS into the Pacific Ocean in 2030.
  • The proposal passed with bipartisan support, emphasizing preserving a significant asset and taxpayer investment.
  • NASA faces challenges in its transition to commercial space stations, which are crucial for its future low-Earth orbit strategy.
  • The ISS's structural integrity is considered capable of supporting operations beyond 2030, despite some aging hardware concerns.
  • The study will examine technical, operational, and logistical aspects of storing the ISS in higher orbits, considering propellant needs and collision risks.
  • Commercial space station developers are concerned about competition from the ongoing ISS operations.

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