The Digester

Senate panel delays ISS retirement to 2032 and links de-orbit to commercial stations

Mar 6th 2026

The Senate Commerce Committee voted to extend the ISS operating timeline to 2032 and added a requirement that NASA wait to de-orbit the station until a commercial low-Earth orbit destination is operational; the measure still needs full congressional approval and international sign-off.

  • Commerce Committee extended the International Space Station planned retirement from 2030 to 2032.
  • The bill prohibits NASA from initiating the ISS de-orbit until a commercial low-Earth orbit destination reaches initial operational capability.
  • The authorization must still pass the full Senate, clear the House and win approval from international partners including Russia.
  • Senators cited doubts about whether private companies will be ready to replace the ISS by 2030.
  • Axiom Space welcomed the change on social media as support for commercial human spaceflight.
  • Vast said it supports the bill and stated it could help sustain continuous human presence in LEO by the end of 2030 if NASA issues requests for proposals and makes awards this year.

Sources

arstechnica.com