Excitement in the space community is high. SpaceX boss and Trump advisor Elon Musk said on his X platform that it is time to retire the International Space Station (ISS).
"It's time to start preparations for deorbiting the space station. It has served its purpose. The benefits are now minimal. Let's go to Mars," Musk wrote.
When asked by an American journalist when the ISS should be deorbited, Musk replied on Platform X: "The decision is up to the president, but I recommend that it be done as soon as possible. I suggest within two years from today." That means by February 2027.
According to previous plans, the ISS was supposed to continue operating until 2030, with the cooperation of partners from the US, Japan, Canada and the European Space Agency (ESA). Russia has committed to keeping the station operational until at least 2028.
Musk's space company SpaceX will then conduct a controlled deorbit of the ISS. In June last year, the US space agency NASA announced that SpaceX had been awarded a contract worth $843 million for the task. The idea is that a yet-to-be-built deorbiting spacecraft would first slow down the ISS so that most of the station would break up as it re-enters Earth's atmosphere. However, some pieces or debris could fall back to Earth, but in uninhabited areas.
The ISS probably couldn't function without the US.
If the US were to withdraw from the ISS early, the space station would probably not be able to continue operating, according to former ESA Director General Jan Werner:
"The largest part of the ISS is American, there are also Russian, Japanese and European modules. I can't imagine the station could function without Americans."
When asked how seriously Musk's statement about the ISS should be taken, former German astronaut Ulrich Walter replied: "Musk means it very seriously. But he only made a recommendation. When it comes to such issues, he does not make decisions - that is the responsibility of Jared Isaacman, who cannot make a statement until he is confirmed as NASA director by the Senate. Therefore, in my opinion, this statement will not have any immediate consequences. What worries me is that Musk is trying to push his own interests with this. He has always wanted and wants to go to Mars and subordinates everything else to that."
Harsh exchange of words between Musk and Danish astronaut
In addition to Musk's announcements about the end of the ISS, his other statements have also caused outrage. Musk recently gave an interview to Fox TV, along with US President Donald Trump, and on that occasion spoke about NASA astronauts Sunny Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been waiting months to return from the ISS.
They arrived at the ISS in June 2024 aboard Boeing's Starliner capsule, but the capsule returned to Earth empty due to technical problems. They were only supposed to stay on the ISS for a week - but after almost 9 months they are still there. It was recently announced that Musk's Space X is scheduled to return them to Earth on March 12.
Musk claimed that the astronauts have not been returned so far for "political reasons" by the Biden administration.
Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen responded to him on Platform X with the words: "What a lie," and added: "And from someone who complains about the insincerity of the mainstream media."
Musk shot back: "You guys are completely retarded. SpaceX could have returned them months ago. I offered that directly to the Biden administration, but they refused. The return was delayed for political reasons. Idiot."
The future of European astronauts - in question
If the ISS were to truly cease to exist before 2030, the question arises as to how the European manned mission will develop further.
When it comes to the Artemis program, under which NASA plans manned flights to the Moon, it is still unclear whether it will be realized at all and whether European astronauts will participate in it.
Former ESA Director General Jan Werner believes it is time for Europe to clearly define its goals: "In what areas does Europe want to be active in the future? For now, we cannot carry out manned missions without the help of other countries."
Europe's cooperation with China or India?
Asked whether Europe could turn to China, which is already sending its own astronauts to the Tiangong space station, Werner says: "When I was Director General of ESA, we offered Chinese language courses to some astronauts to keep that option open. However, if we have been talking so much about values in recent weeks and months, then the question arises: is cooperation with China really in Europe's interest?"
Former astronaut Ulrich Walter suggests another option: "India is also developing a manned program, and if the US is no longer a partner, I would recommend long-term cooperation with the Indians."
One thing is certain: Europe will not have its own rocket or spacecraft to send astronauts into orbit for the foreseeable future. If the ISS is shut down earlier than planned, the future of ESA astronauts could become extremely uncertain.
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