Russia to operate International Space Station until 2024

World Today

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The International Space Station cost an estimated $ 100 billion with the help of five different space agencies and 26 countries. For all the high-tech hurdles scientists had to clear, the International Space Station does have a shelf life.

CCTV America’s Sean Callebs reports.

“Right now, the space station is slated for operation through 2024, what happens then, we are not sure,” former U.S. NASA Astronaut Leroy Chiao said.

Chiao has spent about 230 days on the ISS as commander.

Russia and the United States built key parts of the space station which Russia has agreed to operate until 2024.

After that, Russia wants to take its module and create its own space station.

“Is it possible? There have been a lot of people over the years saying this couldn’t happen, I wouldn’t put it past the Russians, and they are pretty clever,” Chiao said.

The U.S. grounded its space shuttle program more than five years ago. The U.S. is looking beyond the Space Station and wants to send a team to Mars by 2030.

In the meantime, other nations are looking to partner up for the next generation space station.