In a striking announcement on Thursday, SpaceX’s founder, Elon Musk, expressed that the International Space Station (ISS) should be deorbited “as soon as possible.” This bold statement is likely to stir significant debate within the global space community, carrying far-reaching implications for the future of space exploration.

Musk, known for his sometimes provocative remarks on the social media platform X, appears to be serious about this particular comment. He stated, “It is time to begin preparations for deorbiting the @Space_Station. It has served its purpose. There is very little incremental utility. Let’s go to Mars,” tweeting around midday on Thursday.

This statement from Musk raises questions regarding the timeline for the ISS’s end-of-life scenario. Notably, last July, NASA had secured an $843 million contract with SpaceX to modify a Dragon spacecraft, which will be used to safely guide the aging station into the Pacific Ocean by 2030. Thus, it appears that plans for its decommissioning are already in motion.

When I inquired whether Musk intended for NASA and the US government to adhere to the planned 2030 timeline or push for an earlier deorbit, he provided insight: “The decision is up to the President, but my recommendation is as soon as possible. I recommend 2 years from now,” Musk clarified.

This means that the leader of SpaceX, one of the most influential figures in the world of spaceflight, is advocating for the ISS to be decommissioned as early as 2027. His close collaboration with the US president positions him as a key player in shaping the future of America’s space endeavors.

Complex Political Landscape

The political ramifications of this statement are intricate. While President Trump has the authority to propose the ISS’s shutdown, funding for the deorbiting vehicle—which is essential to prevent an uncontrolled descent over land—needs to pass through Congress.

The space station enjoys significant support from Congress, particularly from figures like Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), whose state oversees management of the orbiting laboratory. Cruz has consistently advocated for the continued operation of the ISS. Ars reached out for a statement on this issue, but the senator had not responded by our deadline.