Preserving the ISS: What historic artifacts will outlive the space station

The International Space Station (ISS) has been humanity’s longest-running outpost in space, but its operational life is drawing to a close. NASA and its international partners are preparing for the station’s controlled deorbit as early as 2030, raising urgent questions about how to preserve the legacy of this orbiting laboratory.

The challenge of preserving a space station

At 450 metric tons and spanning the size of a football field, the ISS is far too massive to be preserved intact. Instead, museum curators, space agency officials, and preservation experts are focusing on salvaging specific artifacts that capture the station’s scientific, cultural, and historical significance. This discussion gained momentum during a three-part panel at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics’ ASCEND conference in Washington, DC, hosted by the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

The panel brought together a diverse group, including former astronauts, museum curators, a space archaeologist, and representatives from NASA and international space agencies. Their goal was to identify which elements of the ISS should be preserved—and how—before the station is decommissioned and burned up in Earth’s atmosphere during reentry.

What makes the ISS historically valuable

The ISS represents more than a decade of international collaboration in space exploration. Its modules, equipment, and even personal items left behind by astronauts offer a tangible record of human achievement in microgravity research. Among the most compelling artifacts under consideration are:

• The first module, Zarya, launched in 1998, which marked the beginning of the station’s construction.
• The Cupola observatory module, where astronauts have captured some of the most iconic images of Earth from space.
• Experiment racks and hardware from partner nations, including the U.S. Destiny lab, Europe’s Columbus module, and Japan’s Kibo lab.
• Personal items and mementos donated by crews, such as patches, tools, and even handwritten notes.

These artifacts not only document technological progress but also the cultural exchange between nations working together in space. As one panelist noted, the ISS is a testament to what humanity can achieve when borders are set aside in pursuit of shared discovery.

How preservation might work in practice

Preserving ISS artifacts presents unique logistical hurdles. Unlike terrestrial museums, retrieving items from the station requires careful planning to avoid compromising its structural integrity or endangering future deorbit operations. Several strategies are being considered:

• Prioritizing removal of high-value items before the station is decommissioned, ensuring they are safely stored or displayed.
• Documenting the station in its entirety through high-resolution scans, photographs, and 3D models to create a digital archive for future researchers.
• Collaborating with international partners to decide which artifacts should be repatriated to their countries of origin.
• Establishing a dedicated conservation team to assess the condition of retrieved items and determine the best methods for preservation.

The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum has already begun discussions on how to integrate ISS artifacts into its exhibits, potentially alongside historical spacecraft like Apollo command modules or the Wright Flyer. However, challenges remain in funding, logistics, and determining which pieces hold the most historical weight.

The future of space station preservation

As the ISS era winds down, the conversation around preserving its legacy is only beginning. The decisions made in the coming years will shape how future generations remember humanity’s first permanent home in space. Whether through physical exhibits, digital archives, or a combination of both, the goal is clear: to ensure that the lessons, innovations, and stories of the ISS endure long after the station itself is gone.

The preservation effort also serves as a reminder of the importance of planning for the end of missions—not just their beginnings. As space exploration expands, similar challenges will arise with future stations, lunar bases, or even Mars habitats. Learning from the ISS experience could provide a blueprint for preserving the next generation of off-world landmarks.