Elon Musk’s Push to Deorbit ISS by 2026 Ignites Space Debate

Washington, D.C., June 13, 2025 – Elon Musk, head of SpaceX, has called for deorbiting the International Space Station (ISS) by 2026, four years earlier than NASA’s 2030 plan, sparking fierce arguments over safety, science, and the future of space exploration. His bold stance has divided the space community. Here’s the latest on this heated clash.

Why Musk Wants It Down Now

Musk’s case is urgent:

• He warns the 27-year-old ISS is aging fast, risking catastrophic failure with frequent debris near-misses.
• He pushes for private stations, like Vast’s Haven-1, to replace the ISS more efficiently.
• Musk claims Russia’s aging modules could break free, posing a global hazard.

He sees a new era for space.

NASA’s Pushback

NASA stands firm:

• The agency insists 2030 is the safest timeline to complete critical microgravity research worth billions.
• SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, contracted for the 2030 deorbit, is being modified to guide the ISS to Point Nemo, a remote Pacific site.
• A NASA official said, “Rushing this risks losing decades of scientific gains.”

The agency prioritizes caution.

Russia’s Quiet Role

Russia adds mystery:

• Its space agency, Roscosmos, has committed to the ISS until 2028 but is focusing on its own ROSS station by 2027.
• No Russian modules have been detached, contrary to rumors, but maintenance issues persist.
• Musk’s claim of Russia seeking high deorbit fees lacks evidence but fuels tension.

Russia’s next move is unclear.

Two Years vs. Six Years

The timeline splits opinions:

• Musk argues the ISS’s decay is accelerating, with leaks and cracks growing, risking an uncontrolled crash by 2027.
• NASA counters that private stations, like Axiom’s, won’t be ready until 2028, leaving a research gap if deorbited early.
• An X post read, “Musk’s right—ISS is old, but NASA’s science matters too.”

The debate hinges on timing.

Space Industry Splits

The fallout is sharp:

• Supporters, including some analysts, say the ISS’s $3 billion annual cost could fund Mars missions or private stations.
• Critics, like European scientists, argue early deorbiting halts vital health and physics research.
• A Boeing executive said, “Musk’s just chasing NASA’s budget for SpaceX.”

The industry is at odds.

What Happens Next

Big steps loom:

• NASA’s safety review in July 2025 will assess ISS risks and deorbit plans.
• Congress must approve funding for an early deorbit, a tough sell with international partners committed to 2030.
• China’s offer to aid the ISS descent, if tensions ease, adds a wild card.

The ISS’s fate hangs in balance.