The International Space Station could be a new tourist destination if the Trump administration gets its way.
An internal NASA document obtained by the Washington Post shows the White House plans to stop funding the ISS after 2024, ending direct federal support of the space station. But, instead of abandoning the project, the Trump administration intends to turn it over to the private sector.
“The decision to end direct federal support for the ISS in 2025 does not imply that the platform itself will be deorbited at that time — it is possible that industry could continue to operate certain elements or capabilities of the ISS as part of a future commercial platform,” the document states. “NASA will expand international and commercial partnerships over the next seven years in order to ensure continued human access to and presence in low Earth orbit.”
The ISS has been in orbit and continuously occupied by astronauts and scientists from all over the world for the last 17 years. Six people are currently aboard the vessel orbiting at 17,200 mph 250 miles above the earth's surface.
Interest in privately-funded space exploration is at an all-time high after SpaceX CEO Elon Musk successfully launched a test flight of his experimental rocket, the Falcon Heavy last week. People were thrilled with Musk's stunt of launching his cherry-red Tesla roadster into orbit, instead of a test payload filled with concrete and brick.
NASA has already taken steps toward privatizing low-earth orbit, contracting SpaceX and Orbital ATK to fly astronauts to the ISS, and supply cargo to the station.
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