The space agency is looking to maintain human presence in the microgravity environment as it transitions to commercial stations.
The International Space Station has served as home to astronauts for nearly 30 years but the aging spacecraft is set to retire by the end of the decade, leaving behind a major gap in low Earth orbit. NASA is hoping to fill that gap with a commercial version of the ISS. Until that happens, however, the space agency is adamant on maintaining a human presence in the microgravity environment to stay on track for landing astronauts on Mars.
Key to these missions is the humans part. “While transitioning from the to future commercial space stations, NASA will maintain a consistent and continuous presence in low Earth orbit,” the report read. “This unbroken rhythm of human activity will allow NASA to reduce risk for sending humans to Mars, preserve critical operational skills, maintain a steady transportation cadence, continue advancing science, and sustain engagement with commercial and international partners.
“Through the , NASA has demonstrated that microgravity research is critical to advancing both knowledge of ourselves and our planet,” the report read. “As we approach the transition from the space station to commercial platforms in low Earth orbit, NASA must enable the government’s use of these platforms for further research and development across a spectrum of national objectives that strengthens economies and enhances the quality of life here on Earth for all people.
The new strategy also highlights the need for a “diversity of providers,” suggesting that NASA wants to rely on more than just SpaceX to transport its crew and cargo to low Earth orbit. The space agency is still in theThe retirement of the ISS, and the subsequent transitional phase, reflects NASA’s own transition to relying on its commercial partners to maintain its presence in space.
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