In a recent press conference, veteran NASA astronaut Don Pettit expressed his belief that the International Space Station (ISS) can continue operations well beyond its planned retirement in 2030.
Pettit, who completed his third long-duration expedition to the ISS and spent 220 days in space during his latest mission, returned to Earth on April 19 aboard a Soyuz spacecraft.
With 590 total days logged in orbit across three expeditions, Pettit ranks among the top American astronauts, trailing only Peggy Whitson and Suni Williams.
Reflecting on his initial ISS mission from 2002-2003, Pettit noted the significant transformations the station has undergone since its early assembly days.
“It’s like living in your house when you’re trying to build it,” he remarked, emphasizing the learning curve NASA experienced during those formative years.
Today, Pettit stated the ISS operates as a “well-oiled machine,” equipped with improved capabilities and resources for research, effectively keeping seven crew members engaged in mission work.
Despite NASA’s plans to retire the ISS by the end of the decade in favor of commercial space stations, Pettit argued there is no technical necessity for its retirement.
He compared the ISS to the B-52 bomber, which remains operational more than 60 years after its last aircraft was built.
“There’s no limit to what we could do to space station except for our will to keep refurbishing it and having the funding necessary for doing it,” Pettit said.
He pointed to ongoing projects aimed at upgrading the station’s original solar arrays with more efficient, compact models that could enhance its operational longevity.
Pettit concluded, “We can keep the station going for as long as we want. That’s my opinion.”
However, his perspective stands in contrast to concerns voiced by NASA’s safety panel, which cautioned about increasing risks associated with the aging ISS.
At a recent meeting on April 17, Rich Williams from the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel stated that the station has entered its “riskiest period of its existence.”
Williams highlighted several issues, including cracks in a Russian module and uncertainties surrounding deorbit plans, alongside tight budget constraints.
Pettit’s enthusiasm for the ISS also clashes with NASA’s commitment to transition to commercial space stations, as the industry seeks a firm retirement date to provide clarity for investors and clients.
During the briefing, Pettit shared details about his recovery from the spaceflight, revealing that he did not feel well upon landing and struggled with nausea.
He explained that adapting back to Earth’s conditions is a significant challenge for him, primarily due to his physiology.
“You go with the flow, you do what your trainers tell you, you do what your flight docs tell you, and you’ll pop out on the other side an Earthling once again,” Pettit explained.
Having celebrated his 70th birthday on April 20, Pettit has no plans to retire anytime soon.
“I’m ready to go back when the flight docs say I’m ready to go back,” he stated, expressing his eagerness for future missions.
“I’ve got a few more good years left. I could see getting another flight or two in.”
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