The US government expands operations of the International Space Station

International Space Station ISS.

Photo: NASA

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson announced on December 31, 2021 that the US Biden-Harris administration has decided to extend operations of the International Space Station (ISS) until 2030. To this end, the United States will work with international partners in Europe (ESA), Japan (JAXA), and Canada (CSA) and Russia (Roscosmos) to continue the pioneering research being conducted in this unique space-based laboratory. of this contract.

“The International Space Station has been a beacon of peaceful international scientific cooperation and has made tremendous scientific, educational, and technological advances for the benefit of humanity for more than 20 years. Keep it up,” Nelson said. “The United States’ continued participation in the International Space Station will advance innovation and competitiveness, advance the research and technology needed to send the first woman and first people of color to the Moon under NASA’s Artemis program and pave the way for sending the first humans to Mars. With an increasing number of nations active in space, from It is more important than ever that the United States continues to lead the way in expanding international alliances and setting rules and regulations for the peaceful and responsible use of space.”

Over the past two decades, the United States has been putting humans into orbit to test technologies, conduct scientific research, and develop the skills needed to explore more than ever before. The unique Microgravity Lab has hosted more than 3,000 studies conducted by more than 4,200 researchers from around the world and has produced tremendous scientific, educational, and technological advances that benefit the planet’s inhabitants. Nearly 110 countries and regions have participated in activities on board the station, including more than 1,500,000 students annually in STEM activities.

Instruments on board the International Space Station, used with free-flying instruments in other orbits, help us measure drought stresses and forest health to better understand interactions between carbon and climate at different time scales. Using these and other climate-related tools through the end of this decade will greatly advance our understanding of the climate cycle.

Extension of operations to 2030 will continue another productive decade of research progress and enable a smooth transition from LEO capabilities to one or more commercial destinations by the end of 2020. The decision to extend operations and recent NASA awards for business development space stations combine to provide an ongoing and uninterrupted human presence and capability; Both are critical aspects of NASA’s transition plan to the International Space Station.

source: NASA