NASA to de-orbit the ISS in 2016

[quagmire]

$100 billion ISS investment to turn into blazing fireball and ultimately end up in the Pacific Ocean

The International Space Station (ISS) has been orbiting the Earth at a distance of about 220 miles for years. The ISS has seen its share of problems and budget cuts over the years that have resulted in a somewhat neutered space station.

Michael T. Suffredini, the NASA space station program manager, has announced that despite the fact that the ISS is only now nearing completion, there are already plans to de-orbit the station. The last of the components for the ISS are set to be in place next year and according to Suffredini, the station is currently planned to crash back to Earth in 2016.

"In the first quarter of 2016, we'll prep and de-orbit the spacecraft," said Suffredini.

The real problem is the lack of long term funding for the ISS, which has been estimated to have cost the U.S. and its partners $100 billion to construct. Ironically, the huge cost of the station could end up being its saving grace.

This gets a big WTF from me. Yeah I get it, the general mass public doesn't give a crap about anything NASA related and think it is all a waste of money, etc. In matter of fact, destroying it after 6 years after completion with many more then 6 years it took to assemble it, it will just prove that the general public( despite how how to put it nicely, ill informed they are) is right that NASA is just a whole waste of money.

Hopefully, it is saved and can last at least 20 years........

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=15680

 

[MacNut]

I thought the ISS was going to be a hub for Orion to dock to as we prepare to go deeper into space.

Why bother finish it if it will just be de-orbited in 7 years. Just end the shuttle missions now and don't bother with the ISS.

 

[jmann]

I wonder if they have a bigger plan/secret to reveal at that time in place of the Space Station?

 

[MacNut]

I wonder if they have a bigger plan/secret to reveal at that time in place of the Space Station?

The ISS is huge and cost billions to build. What could they replace it with and how would they build it.

 

[PCMacUser]

The ISS is huge and cost billions to build. What could they replace it with and how would they build it.

To find out the answer, you'll have to wait until the next Apple Developer Conference. That's where everything gets revealed, isn't it?

 

[Antares]

The ISS is huge and cost billions to build. What could they replace it with and how would they build it.

Perhaps alien technology and whatnot which will make the station obsolete. 2016 could be the year that the biggest secret in mankind's history is revealed.

Otherwise, it would be a waste to de-orbit the station. How would we ever get a permanent presence in space without it? How easily would we be able to get another station in the future? The ISS is supposed to be a stopover point on the way to the Moon and, later, Mars. That would obvioulsy have to change.

 

[Mr. lax]

I won't matter. Its game over for us in 2012 anyways

 

[jmann]

The ISS is huge and cost billions to build. What could they replace it with and how would they build it.

Hence the secret part of it.

 

[djellison]

http://www.universetoday.com/2009/07/15/de-orbit-the-iss-in-2016-dont-bet-on-it/

It's not going to happen. This thing is going to be around for a while. '16 was just the marker in the sand from when ISS construction started. Like Spirit and Opportunity and their 90 days ( day 1967 and 1947 today respectively, still going strong)

ISS isn't in a good orbit to be a rendezvous point for going to the moon. You get more performance from a rocket at a lower inclination orbit. ISS's orbit is designed so that everyone can get to it ( Russia and the US ). And, to be honest, even with a two-launch architecture, you don't need much in the way of building stuff to get to the moon. Just dock two spacecraft and off you go.