The International Space Station is set to retire by 2030, but what comes next?

As the International Space Station nears its scheduled 2030 conclusion, the future of human presence in low Earth orbit is shifting toward private enterprise. This video examines the transition from government-led stations to commercial ventures, ensuring humanity maintains a continuous foothold in space.

The transition involves a move toward diverse commercial platforms, ranging from compact, single-module stations like Vast's Haven-1 to expansive, modular concepts such as Orbital Reef. This shift mirrors the evolution of rocket launches, which successfully transitioned from government-exclusive operations to a competitive commercial market.

The United States is currently evaluating four primary candidates to succeed the ISS. International partners, including Europe, Canada, and Japan, have already begun securing agreements to participate in these future platforms, signaling a collaborative and uninterrupted future for human activity in orbit.

Source: Where Will Astronauts Go After The ISS Is Destroyed?