A tempting proposal has been put forward by Russian experts: to transfer the International Space Station (ISS) to lunar orbit. However, due to a variety of reasons including technology, environment, and system design, this concept is practically unachievable.
1. Design and Functions of the ISS
The ISS features key facilities such as residential modules, laboratories, and life support systems, equipped with everything necessary for long-term habitation, as well as energy, communication, and navigation systems.
2. Challenges in Transferring to Lunar Orbit
Transferring the space station to lunar orbit poses numerous technical challenges, including the need for an immense amount of fuel to increase the ISS's velocity, as well as the fact that its design was not intended for extraterrestrial orbital missions.
3. Impact of Space Environment
The environment in lunar orbit poses threats to the operation of the space station, such as intense radiation and extreme temperature fluctuations, while the life support and communication systems will also face tests.
4. The Future of the ISS
Scientists predict that the mission of the ISS will come to an end by 2030, after which it will fall into the Pacific Ocean. Before its descent into the Pacific, some ISS modules can be separated and used as the foundation for a new orbital station.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1830423933793418/
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