Space News reports, “NASA is rethinking its desire for a ‘continuous human presence’ in low Earth orbit during the transition from the International Space Station to commercial platforms to include options where, at least temporarily, the agency may not always have astronauts in orbit. In a talk at the International Astronautical Congress here Oct. 16 on NASA’s development of a low Earth orbit microgravity strategy, Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy mentioned what she called the ‘elephant in the room’ of a desired continuous human presence in LEO. NASA has had astronauts in orbit on the ISS continuously since 2000.”
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Tag: After ISS
Opinion: After the ISS, America Must Continue to Lead in LEO, Cislunar to Maintain Supremacy
Space News reports, “As the International Space Station (ISS) nears the end of its service life and the United States commercial space industry continues to push past old technological boundaries, America needs new orbital destinations to remain the world’s leader in space. Low-Earth orbit, or LEO, is of tremendous strategic significance. It is not only where a fast-growing number of satellites operate, but it is also where humans have lived and worked continuously on the ISS since 2000.”
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