ISS This The End?

The International Space Station (ISS) has been a global symbol of science and collaboration, orbiting Earth since 1998. It has hosted hundreds of astronauts and supported groundbreaking research. However, the ISS is aging, and maintaining it has become incredibly expensive. NASA and its global partners have announced that within the next decade, the ISS will be decommissioned and safely removed from orbit. This necessary ending leads to an exciting beginning: What comes next?

Imagine you are a Lead Engineer for a private aerospace company (like SpaceX or Blue Origin) bidding on the NASA contract to build the replacement for the International Space Station. Your replacement station needs to be efficient, cutting-edge, and designed for new purposes (like tourism, deep-space travel preparation, or commercial manufacturing). Your task is to design your concept for the next major human presence in orbit.

Your Submission Should Include:
1. A Catchy Name: Give your new space station a powerful name (e.g., The Orbital Gateway, The Zenith Station, Olympus Base).
2. The Drawing: A simple sketch or diagram (hand-drawn or with design software like Canva) of your station's exterior and/or key interior feature.
3. Three Key Features: List three major, unique features of your station that are designed for future goals (e.g., A zero-gravity manufacturing lab, a tourist observation deck, or a centrifuge for artificial gravity).
4. The Pitch: Write a short pitch to NASA (the judges) explaining what your station's primary mission is, why your three key features are essential to that mission, and why your design is the best, most forward-looking choice to succeed the ISS.