This is what will happen after the International Space Station is destroyed in 2030
Published on Jul 12, 2025 at 1:37 PM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Jul 08, 2025 at 8:01 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
This is what will happen after the International Space Station (ISS) is destroyed in 2030 after NASA leaves it behind.
The ISS will expire in 2030, as NASA plans to deorbit the station into Earth’s atmosphere, where it will burn up, ending 30 years of service.
However, fear not, as there are plans to ensure that long-term human exploration of space remains even after the ISS’s demise.
In fact, NASA is well advanced in sending up a replacement for the ISS, as its incredible run of success comes to an end.
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Why is the International Space Station being destroyed?
In 2030, the station will finally have reached the end of its life.
The station was first operational in 1998, and it’s provided invaluable research and data since then.
Since 2000, the ISS has been continuously inhabited – it’s had people on it for 24 years and 247 days at the time of writing.
While it’s been a useful tool for the human race, its working life is coming to an end.
Initially, the station was set to expire after 15 years, but its success has seen that increase.
However, Russia will pull out of the ISS program by the end of 2025.
Boeing, the prime contractor for the craft, is ensuring it will last another five years.
But its age and the fact that Russia is pulling out have all contributed to the station’s downfall.
What will happen to the ISS?
A de-orbiting vehicle will dock with the station in about five years.
That vehicle will remain with the station for around a year as the ISS’s orbit naturally decays.
Eventually, the craft will deorbit into the Earth’s atmosphere, break up, and crash into the Pacific Ocean.
It is a rather ignominious end to a craft that has served humankind so well.
But the station will have a replacement.
NASA is already working on a new, low Earth orbit station to replace the current space station.
So while it’s the end of the International Space Station, it isn’t the end of humans living in space.
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Henry is a content writer with nearly ten years experience, having written for various publications since 2017. Qualifying with a Sports Journalism degree from Staffordshire University, Henry loves all things automotive but has a particular soft spot for classic Japanese cars and anything Lancia. He also has a curious passion for steam locomotives.
