What is the planned goal for destinations following the ISS retirement?
Answer
Transition to commercially operated, low-Earth orbit destinations
The planned end-of-mission strategy for the ISS is not total abandonment of low-Earth orbit (LEO) capabilities. Instead, the transition involves moving away from government-managed infrastructure toward commercial entities taking control of LEO destinations. The foundational technology and operational experience gained from decades of ISS operation are intended to enable private industry to successfully manage future research platforms, potentially opening up new avenues for commercial space activity, including aspects like space tourism.
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