Senate Committee to Vote on Space Station Extension, Lunar Base Requirements

A Senate committee will vote next week on legislation to extend the International Space Station's operations until 2032 and require NASA to build a moon base. The measures aim to help the U.S. compete with China's growing space ambitions.

WASHINGTON – A Senate committee is scheduled to vote next week on legislation that would push back the retirement of the International Space Station by two years and mandate the construction of a lunar base, as lawmakers seek to counter China’s expanding space capabilities.

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will consider the measures on March 4 as amendments to NASA’s authorization bill. The proposals have support from both Republican committee chair Ted Cruz and Democratic ranking member Maria Cantwell.

Under current plans, NASA intended to decommission the ISS by 2030 after more than two decades in orbit. The new proposal would delay that timeline to 2032, providing additional time for private companies to develop commercial alternatives.

The aging space station has experienced minor leaks in recent years, which NASA attributes to its advanced age. Meanwhile, private sector firms are working to create commercial replacements, including companies like Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin and Voyager.

However, several of these private ventures have struggled to meet the 2030 deadline, sparking worries about a potential interruption in American crewed operations in low-Earth orbit during a period of heightened space competition with other nations.

Last year, NASA selected Elon Musk’s SpaceX to construct a vehicle capable of safely guiding the ISS back through Earth’s atmosphere for controlled disposal, rather than preserving it as an orbital monument due to debris concerns and maintenance costs.

The proposed lunar base requirement would solidify NASA’s commitment to maintaining a permanent presence on the moon through its Artemis program, serving as preparation for eventual Mars missions.

Musk recently endorsed this strategy after previously favoring a direct approach to Mars exploration.

Both SpaceX and Blue Origin are developing lunar landing vehicles for the Artemis program – SpaceX’s Starship rocket and Blue Origin’s Blue Moon lander.

NASA has recently encouraged competition between the two billionaire-funded companies to accelerate their lunar vehicle development schedules, as China demonstrates advancement in its own moon exploration efforts, including plans for a crewed lunar mission by 2030.

The legislative push reflects broader congressional concerns about maintaining American leadership in space as Beijing expands its Tiangong space station program and seeks international partnerships for its space initiatives.