Featured Image Credit: LEONELLO CALVETTI / Getty
Elon Musk says it's time to scrap the International Space Station (ISS) - sooner rather than later.
Built in 1998, the ISS has been home to NASA astronauts since 2000, serving as a testing ground for living and working in space.
It was a collaborative effort between NASA and its partners - the Canadian Space Agency, the European Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and Russia's Roscosmos - all working together to create the orbiting outpost.
And from there, it’s been a stepping stone for future missions to the Moon and Mars.
Advert
However, the Tesla CEO no longer sees a use in the outpost anymore as it's already showing signs of its advanced age.
On X (formerly Twitter), Musk wrote: "It is time to begin preparations for deorbiting the Space_Station It has served its purpose. There is very little incremental utility." He then added: "Let’s go to Mars."
It is time to begin preparations for deorbiting the @Space_Station.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 20, 2025
It has served its purpose. There is very little incremental utility.
Let’s go to Mars.
The close Trump advisor then replied to another comment on the same post, writing: "The decision is up to the President, but my recommendation is as soon as possible. I recommend 2 years from now."
When a user responded with: "Time to build a base on Mars," Musk simply replied: "Yes."
NASA and its partners plan to bring the station down in 2030, using a controlled deorbit vehicle provided by SpaceX.
However, Musk thinks the sooner, the better.
All of the ISS partners are agreed on the 2030 deorbit plan, except for Russia. The country has expressed staying committed until 2028 - just a year after Musk’s proposed 2026 shutdown.
With President Trump backing him, the SpaceX founder's suggestions aren't that disregardable.
At the moment, the world's richest man is leading a federal audit under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has already resulted in thousands of layoffs across multiple agencies.
Plus, Musk has had his eye on the Red Planet for a long time now. So, this step is just another one forward towards his goal of space colonisation.
While the US space agency is working to get astronauts to the moon via its Artemis program, as a stepping stone before getting to Mars, Musk wants to skip this step entirely.
In a December X post, he classed the moon as a 'distraction' adding that 'we're going straight to Mars.'
NASA commented on the recent announcement in an email: "NASA’s current mission plans call for using the International Space Station, and future commercial space stations, in low Earth orbit to conduct groundbreaking science, as well as a training ground for crewed missions to the moon and Mars.
"We’re looking forward to hearing more about the Trump Administration's plans for our agency and expanding exploration for the benefit of all."
