Extending the operation of the International Space Station (ISS), which orbits 400 kilometers above the Earth, is under consideration. For humans to hone their skills to explore the moon and Mars, it is realistic to use existing facilities.
The ISS is jointly operated by countries including Japan, the United States, some European states and Russia. Construction of the ISS began in 1998 and was completed in 2011. It has already been decided that the spacecraft will continue to operate through 2024, but the plan for what happens afterward is still uncertain.
With space development entering a new era in which private companies are taking the lead, the U.S. government hopes to shift the focus of its activities to exploration of the moon and Mars. Maintaining the ISS in tandem will be a financial burden, thus prompting a discussion over whether to continue operating it.
.jpg?w=600)
