The immediate future of the International Space Station is suddenly in doubt thanks to a single tweet.
On Thursday, Muskpostedon his X platform that he believes its time to begin preparations for deorbiting the ISS.
It has served its purpose, he declared.
The aging space station is scheduled to retire by the end of 2030.© NASA
There is very little incremental utility.
Lets go to Mars.
That said, a premature shutdown comes with important considerations.
© X/Elon Musk
Such a vehicle remains vaporwareit doesnt yet exist, but its importance cant be overstated.
Obviously, this is a complex maneuver that will require precision to avoid any possible safety hazards to humans.
Additionally, NASA has big plans for expanding human space travel, including the Artemis missions to the Moon.
© X/Eric Berger
Accomplishing those lofty goals safely requires extensive research, including studies on how microgravity affects the human body.
A two-way trip to Mars, by contrast, would likely take just under three years.
The ISS is one of only two operational space stations currently in orbit, alongside Chinas Tiangong station.
© X/Andreas Mogensen
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The decision is up to the President, but my recommendation is as soon as possible, he wrote.
I recommend 2 years from now.
Crewed missions to Mars have long been an obsession for Musk.
Financial entanglements aside, theres a less charitable theory for why Musk suddenly chose to target the ISS.
Musks call to expedite the destruction of the ISS came less than seven hours later.
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