Elon Musk Pushes for Early Decommissioning of ISS, Drawing Criticism

Musk's proposal to retire the ISS by 2027, three years ahead of schedule, raises concerns over research gaps, international collaboration, and NASA's future priorities.

Elon Musk has called for the International Space Station (ISS) to be decommissioned by 2027, citing its diminishing utility and advocating for a focus on Mars exploration.
Critics argue that an early retirement would disrupt critical research on microgravity's effects on the human body, essential for future Mars missions, and leave the U.S. without a long-term orbital lab for years.
The ISS is a joint international project, and its premature decommissioning could strain partnerships with Russia, Canada, Japan, and European nations involved in its operation.
NASA's reliance on SpaceX for ISS-related contracts, including a planned $843 million deorbit vehicle, has raised concerns over potential conflicts of interest given Musk's influence on U.S. space policy.
Musk's comments about NASA astronauts being 'stranded' on the ISS for political reasons were debunked by astronauts and experts, who clarified that their return timeline aligns with technical and safety requirements.