Since its launch in 1998, the International Space Station (ISS) has served as a symbol of international collaboration. Many scientific experiments have been carried out on this structure, and it is still the main laboratory in space. During its 26 year and 4 months in operation, the ISS has hosted more than 270 astronauts from 21 countries, 15 of which are founding partners. Assembled piece by piece from separately launched modules—like a giant Lego set built in orbit—it stands as a remarkable feat of engineering.
Like everything else, it also has a lifespan. Despite ongoing hardware and software upgrades, the station’s aging infrastructure is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain. This marvel of human achievement is now approaching the final stages of its journey.
Originally planned to retire in 2024, the ISS had its mission extended to 2030 by NASA in December 2021. Ironically, many speculate that this decision was influenced by the emergence of a powerful new player in low Earth orbit: China’s Tiangong Space Station (CSS). Launched in 2021, Tiangong, which means “Heavenly Palace” in Chinese, has rapidly evolved into a majestic space laboratory. Orbiting Earth at approximately 27,600 kilometers per hour, it completes 15 to 16 revolutions around the planet each day. In terms of technological innovation, Tiangong is quickly distinguishing itself. Operated by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), the station is designed not only to host astronauts like the ISS, but also to function as a long-term scientific platform for supporting and leading researchers in advanced engineering tasks.
Although the CSS does not receive extensive media coverage—partly due to precautions taken by the U.S.—many countries are approaching it with care. This is not only because of its rapid technological development in such a short time, but also due to the reality that it may soon be the only space station remaining in orbit. According to CMSA, Tiangong’s goal is to create a platform that will support large-scale scientific applications in orbit. This includes the development of spacecraft docking technologies, long-duration autonomous flight systems, cargo and fuel supply capabilities, and technologies for future deep space exploration. It also focuses on developing self-sufficient, renewable life support systems that will play a key role in extended missions beyond Earth. Some nations are approaching potential cooperation with caution. They are aware of China’s rapid progress and the possibility that, after the ISS’s retirement, Tiangong may remain the only operational space station in orbit. China has a great opportunity to reshape the persistence of humanity away from the world.
References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiangong_space_station
- https://www.scmp.com/topics/chinas-space-programme
- https://www.economist.com/china/2018/01/20/chinas-ambitions-in-space-are-growing?utm_medium=cpc.adword.pd&utm_source=google&ppccampaignID=18151738051&ppcadID=&utm_campaign=a.22brand_pmax&utm_content=conversion.direct-response.anonymous&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADBuq3Jw9GpX6JLai2GxM8-homuDV&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_JzABhC2ARIsAPe3ynr4XdmjRGa-bePhQZWzs8EELrszr4xs8zlnMVDFcRgYP1PwUbgCCgkaAg3AEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
- https://www.nasa.gov/reference/international-space-station/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Space_Station
- https://en.cmse.gov.cn/
