NASA Plans To De-Orbit ISS In 2016

NewbieV writes "The international space station is by far the largest spacecraft ever built by earthlings. Circling the Earth every 90 minutes, it often passes over North America and is visible from the ground when night has fallen but the station, up high, is still bathed in sunlight. After more than a decade of construction, it is nearing completion and finally has a full crew of six astronauts. The last components should be installed by the end of next year. And then? 'In the first quarter of 2016, we'll prep and de-orbit the spacecraft,' says NASA's space station program manager, Michael T. Suffredini."

Comments

What a waste

[Anonymous Coward]

I know space flight is tough, but shouldn't a super-expensive space station last longer than it took to build?

I mean this thing just got a full crew about a month ago.

I guess 7 years of full crew isn't horrible.

I wonder what it's like to have sex in space. I hear it's already happened a couple times..

I can't wait for my girlfriend (and her pussy) to get back from vacation.

Re:It'll never happen

[MindKata]

"NASA is terrible with arbitrary deadlines"

I think I should just politely point out, surely you're missing the main part of the news? ... I mean, you can't think NASA's deadline accountancy errors are the biggest part of this potentially huge news event?

For example, from the main summary:
"The international space station is by far the largest spacecraft ever built by earthlings"

I mean come on, hold the front page or what, call the joint chiefs now! ... there are spacecraft bigger than we make up there!?! ... UMMM??!! .... AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! [inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale] AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! cool or what!!?!