US prepares to deorbit International Space Station amid China competition

Before the International Space Station was launched into orbit in 1998, the U.S. signed a document with several other countries to agree to the peaceful use of the orbital laboratory. The agreement included Russia, Japan, Canada, and 11 European countries. However, China was left out of the plan, leading to tensions in the space exploration arena.

Nearly a decade later, China expressed interest in joining those on board the space station. The European Space Agency signaled support for the addition, along with South Korea. However, the United States ultimately opposed the decision, citing concerns about sharing sensitive information with China.

In 2011, Congress passed a spending bill that prohibited collaboration between NASA and China on certain scientific research, including in space. Lawmakers argued that China’s space program was secretive and closely tied to its military, making it a potential threat to national security.

As China continued to develop its own space station, tensions between the U.S. and China escalated, leading to what some have called a new space race. With China becoming a formidable competitor in space exploration, the U.S. has ramped up efforts to maintain its leadership in the field.

Voyager Space, one of the companies contracted by NASA to develop a new space station, is on pace to launch its Starlab in 2028. There are concerns about potential funding cuts for NASA and delays in the development of new space stations, which could leave the U.S. without a replacement when the current space station is deorbited.

Despite the challenges, NASA remains committed to ensuring that China does not become the sole operator of a space station in orbit. The agency is focused on maintaining its leadership in space exploration and working closely with international partners to achieve this goal.

As the U.S. navigates this new era of space exploration, companies like Arkisys are developing innovative solutions to keep the country competitive in space. Arkisys is working on a robotic servicing port that could serve as a bridge between the decommissioning of the current space station and the launch of new commercial space stations.

With China’s growing presence in space, it is essential for the U.S. to adapt and innovate to stay ahead in the space race. By investing in new technologies and partnerships, the U.S. can ensure its continued leadership in space exploration for years to come.