September 26, 2024
Astronaut working on the outside of the International Space Station.
NASA.
For nearly 25 years, astronauts have continuously lived and worked onboard the International Space Station. As the Station ages, NASA will be challenged to ensure the safety of astronauts aboard and to sustain continuous operations, which includes conducting science and research and maintaining the ISS. At the same time, the Agency will need to develop capabilities to safely deorbit the ISS. In this audit, we examined NASA’s management of risks to sustaining ISS operations through 2030, ensuring crew and operational safety and conducting a safe, controlled deorbit in 2031.
