Goa, March 21 -- The International Space Station (ISS) is set to be decommissioned by 2031, marking the end of a pivotal chapter in global space research.

The announcement follows the return of American astronaut Sunita Williams after a nine-month mission, highlighting the station's continued role in advancing scientific exploration.

Originally designed for a 15-year lifespan, the ISS has exceeded expectations with multiple extensions, most recently approved by the Biden administration for operations until 2030.

However, concerns over aging infrastructure have accelerated discussions about its future. In 2021, Russian cosmonaut Vladimir Solovyov warned that nearly 80% of the equipment in the Russian segment was outdated, with visible s...