Beyond ISS: The Future of Habitation, Manufacturing and Scientific Discovery in LEO
The International Space Station retires in 2030. The transition to a commercially driven low Earth orbit economy is happening now—but the business models and infrastructure needed don't yet exist. This whitepaper from Aviation Week's Space Tech Expo Roundtable Series examines which revenue streams can sustain commercial space stations, why launch costs remain the binding constraint, how nuclear power and orbital manufacturing unlock the next phase of commercialization, and whether U.S. space leadership depends on competition or collaboration with China. Essential reading for commercial space leaders, investors, and policymakers navigating the post-ISS era.