What happens to the International Space Station when the Shuttle is retired next year?

Answer 1

After the Space Shuttle is retired in late 2010, the International Space Station will still continue to operate as usual. By the time the Space Shuttle is retired, all of the major components of the Space Station will be on orbit, so it will finally be complete. Crews to the space station will need to be delivered solely by Russia's Soyuz spacecraft, although if Project Constellation continues as planned, the Orion spacecraft will be used to deliver American crews. Other vehicles might also be developed to deliver crews, because it's expensive for NASA to buy seats for American astronauts onboard Russian spacecraft. Supplies will be delivered to the Space Station through Russian Progress supply crafts, Japanese H-II Transfer vehicles, and European Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) spacecraft.

Answer 2

After the retirement of the Space Shuttle, the International Space Station (ISS) continues to be supported by other spacecraft, such as Russian Soyuz and Progress vehicles, SpaceX's Dragon, and other commercial spacecraft for crew transportation and resupply missions. The ISS will remain operational and the shift to commercially operated crew and cargo missions will ensure its continued functionality.