The Next International Space Station Will Orbit The Moon

The International Space Station is hitting the end of its career. It’s expected to last at least until the 2020s, but once it’s retired we’ll need a replacement. Luckily, NASA is already working on it.

The ISS replacement will be a bit different than the original that was launched back in 1998. It’ll be sleeker, more compact and efficient and it will be in cislunar orbit, meaning it will orbit the moon instead of being in low orbit around the Earth.

Read: 9 Stunning Photos From Space From NASA Images Library

The reason for this change in orbit orientation is to make the new ISS a better launching off point for other missions into deep space, like Mars.

NASA received plans from several companies, including Boeing and Lockheed Martin, that are working on the project with proposals for the station. Each proposal was very different, according to NASA, and the phase they’re in now involves refining the plans and coming up with prototypes.

The stations have to be even more sophisticated than the current station since it will have to withstand conditions of deep space, and if everything goes according to plan, withstand more coming and going. So NASA is letting developers use some of their developed technologies in their planning, like the NASA air lock systems, but leaving some of the innovation up to the companies.

The expectations are set higher for the newer station. While the current ISS recover 42 percent of oxygen from CO2, the new station should recover 98 percent, says NASA. The expected recovery for water should increase as well. Enhancements to health technology for crew members is also a priority for the new station.

NASA and its partners have a while to come up with a new station and build it, but the plans are an exciting look into what the future of space living may hold.