Following his recent return from the International Space Station aboard a Soyuz spacecraft, veteran NASA astronaut Don Pettit has voiced his strong belief that the orbiting facility can continue operations well beyond its scheduled retirement in 2030. Pettit completed his third long-duration expedition to the ISS, spending 220 days in space on this mission, adding to his career total of 590 days in orbit.
His experience spans three expeditions: 2002-2003, 2011-2012, and 2024-2025. He noted significant changes in the ISS since his first mission, comparing the early days of assembly to "living in your house when you’re trying to build it." Now, he describes the ISS as "a well-oiled machine," emphasizing its enhanced capabilities and efficiency in supporting research and a crew of seven.
Despite NASA's plans to decommission the ISS at the end of the decade in favor of commercial space stations, Pettit argues there's no technical reason for its retirement. He advocates for continued refurbishment and funding, drawing a parallel to the B-52 bomber’s long service life. "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," he stated, citing upgrades like new, more efficient solar arrays. “We can keep station going for as long as we want,” he concluded. “That’s my opinion.”
However, this view contrasts with concerns raised by NASA’s Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel, which highlighted increasing risks associated with the aging ISS, including structural issues and budgetary constraints. Pettit’s desire also clashes with NASA's shift towards commercial alternatives and the industry's need for a defined retirement date for investment certainty.
Upon his return, Pettit reported on his recovery, acknowledging the physical challenges of re-entry. Despite not looking his best immediately after landing, he confirmed he's recovering well and expressed a keen interest in future missions. "I’m ready to go back when the flight docs say I’m ready to go back,” he said, adding, “I’ve got a few more good years left. I could see getting another flight or two in.”