--- title: "NASA: No Technical Barriers to ISS Operation After 2030" description: "NASA has stated there are no technical barriers to ISS operation after 2030. Russia is discussing extending station operation until 2032 amid plans for its own orbital platform." date: 2026-11-12T10:54:52.744Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/iss-operation-after-2030-no-technical-barriers tags: [iss, nasa, roscosmos, space-station, space-exploration] author: "Alexander Buran" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # NASA: No Technical Barriers to ISS Operation After 2030 ![Two astronauts in spacesuits working outside the International Space Station in Earth's orbit](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/12/mks-rabota-posle-2030-goda-tekhnicheskih-prepyatstviy-net/mks-rabota-posle-2030-goda-tekhnicheskih-prepyatstviy-net-1.webp) ## Key Points - NASA (Joshua Finch) sees no technical barriers to ISS operation after 2030. - Roscosmos head Dmitry Bakanov estimated the deorbiting could happen in 2031–2032. - First Deputy PM Denis Manturov announced discussions with partners to extend ISS operation until 2032. - In July 2026, Roscosmos and NASA agreed to extend station operation until 2030. - SpaceX will not conduct crewed Crew Dragon flights on Falcon 9 after 2030. The American space agency NASA sees no technical obstacles to continuing the operation of the International Space Station (ISS) after 2030. This was stated by agency representative Joshua Finch while commenting on the scenario of a possible deorbiting of the station in 2031 or 2032. The statement came against the backdrop of ongoing discussions about the future of the orbital complex, which has functioned as an international project for more than two decades. ### US Stance: Technology Allows Continued Operation According to Finch, from the perspective of engineering and technical characteristics, the station is capable of remaining operational beyond 2030. This means that the decision regarding the timing of the ISS deorbiting will be determined not so much by the state of the equipment, but by political, economic, and organizational factors, as well as the readiness of project participants to coordinate further actions. ### Russian Side: From 2030 to 2032 In Russia, the deadlines for the station's end of life are being discussed at several levels. At the end of October, Roscosmos head Dmitry Bakanov reported that the deorbiting of the ISS could take place in 2031–2032. Previously, on October 28, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov stated during a government hour in the Federation Council that Moscow is discussing with foreign partners the possibility of extending the station's operation until 2032. At the same time, he emphasized that the negotiations do not affect Russia's plans to create its own orbital station, which is scheduled to begin deployment in 2028. ### July Agreement and Meetings at Baikonur Back in July 2026, Bakanov reported an agreement between Roscosmos and NASA to extend the ISS operation until 2030, after which the parties prepared a joint program for the station's end of mission at the end of 2030. According to him, he met with NASA head Jared Isaacman at Baikonur in July, and the participants discussed interaction options. Thus, current statements about the possibility of operating after 2030 supplement, rather than cancel, the previously agreed framework. ### Cross-Flight Program and SpaceX Logistics A separate element of the situation remains the cross-flight program: Roscosmos and NASA have extended it for the fourth time until 2030. Simultaneously, SpaceX notified NASA and private station developers that it will not perform crewed Crew Dragon flights on the Falcon 9 rocket after 2030. These factors shape the logistical context in which decisions about the timing of ISS operation are made. ### Conclusion: Final Decision Not Yet Made Thus, the further operation of the station remains a subject of discussion between the participants of the international project. Technical capabilities, according to NASA's assessment, allow for operation beyond 2030, but the final dates for deorbiting — 2031, 2032, or another year — will be determined following negotiations between the parties, taking into account national programs and logistical constraints. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [МКС могут использовать и после 2030 года: технических препятствий нет](https://www.ixbt.com/news/2026/11/12/mks-mogut-ispolzovat-i-posle-2030-goda-texniceskix-prepiatstvii-net.html) - Source: Joshua Finch (NASA) statement on lack of technical barriers after 2030; context of Bakanov/Manturov statements. - [Работу МКС могут продлить до 2032 года](https://news.mail.ru/society/72887061/) - Manturov Oct 28 statement on 2032 extension; 2030 agreement; Bakanov/Isaacman meeting at Baikonur; Russian station 2028. - [SpaceX откажется от пилотируемых полетов Crew Dragon на Falcon 9 после 2030 года](https://hi-tech.mail.ru/news/156707-spacex-otkazhetsya-ot-pilotiruemyh-poletov-crew-dragon/) - SpaceX notified NASA of stopping crewed Crew Dragon flights on Falcon 9 after 2030. - [«Роскосмос» и NASA в четвертый раз продлили перекрестные полеты на МКС](https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/9062874) - Cross-flight program extended for the 4th time until 2030. ## FAQ ### Can the ISS operate after 2030? According to NASA, there are no technical obstacles to continuing operation after 2030; final timelines will be determined through negotiations. ### What deorbiting dates is Russia proposing? Roscosmos head Dmitry Bakanov pointed to 2031–2032, while Denis Manturov mentioned discussions to extend operation until 2032. ### Does this impact Russia's planned orbital station? No, per Manturov, ISS negotiations do not change Russia's plans to deploy its own orbital station starting in 2028.