Space & Astronomy

Cis-lunar space station could replace ISS

By T.K. Randall
November 5, 2016

Image: Full Moon
Credit: Thom Rains / CC BY 3.0 (adapted) The International Space Station, which began construction all the way back in 1998, has proven to be both an invaluable scientific asset and an important reminder of what can be achieved when various nations work together in peaceful co-operation towards a common goal.

While there are plans in place to keep the ISS going well in to the 2020s, experts from around the world are already contemplating its successor - a space station in orbit around the Moon.

At a closed-door meeting in Houston last week, officials from NASA and other space agencies met up to discuss the latest ideas and changes to the cis-lunar space station concept.The current plan would be for the station to be a multi-modular outpost, similar to the ISS, with each section placed in to lunar orbit using NASA's upcoming Space Launch System.

The technologies used in the new station, including a closed-loop life-support system and electric propulsion, would be a lot more advanced than anything seen on the ISS.

While nothing is set in stone at the moment, the ideas being put forward indicate that the Moon will play a key role in the future of manned spaceflight after the ISS is eventually discontinued.

It is also likely to play an important role in future manned missions to Mars as well.

Source: The Planetary Society

Tags: Space Station, Moon