NASA Administrator Bill Nelson announced late last year that the White House is committed to the extension of the International Space Station (ISS) operation through 2030 in order to work with international partners such as European Space Agency (ESA), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Canadian Space Agency (CSA), as well as the Russian ROSCOSMOS.
The aim is to continue groundbreaking researches on the orbiting space laboratory through the rest of the decade.
“The International Space Station is a beacon of peaceful international scientific collaboration and for more than 20 years has returned enormous scientific, educational, and technological developments to benefit humanity. I’m pleased that the Biden-Harris Administration has committed to continuing station operations through 2030,” Nelson said.
“The United States’ continued participation on the ISS will enhance innovation and competitiveness, as well as advance the research and technology necessary to send the first woman and first person of color to the Moon under NASA’s Artemis program and pave the way for sending the first humans to Mars. As more and more nations are active in space, it’s more important than ever that the United States continues to lead the world in growing international alliances and modeling rules and norms for the peaceful and responsible use of space.”
Over the past 20 years, America has continuously put astronauts into orbit where they conduct a series of tests, scientific researches, as well as develop skills needed to explore deep space.
Since its inception, the ISS has hosted over 3,000 research investigations from over 4,200 researchers across the globe and is returning lots of scientific, educational, and technological developments that can benefit the whole human race.
Nearly 110 countries and areas have participated in activities aboard the station, including more than 1,500,000 students per year in STEM activities.
There are several instruments in the space lab which help scientists measure weather and the effect of space on the human body.
Astronaut Scott Kelly holds the record of the highest number of stays on the ISS after spending about 340 days in the space laboratory.
With the extension through to 2030, the space station will continue to be the research center for more scientific researches and the development of better medicines to enhance the lives of everyone.
The decision to extend operations and NASA’s recent awards to develop commercial space stations together ensure uninterrupted, continuous human presence and capabilities; both are critical facets of NASA’s International Space Station transition plan.
You can also read about the most important space missions in 2022 here.