Elon Musk has expressed his desire for the International Space Station (ISS) to be retired, criticizing the $1.25 billion funding allocated during Donald Trump’s administration. Musk argues that the ISS, while historically significant, is now outdated and expensive to maintain. He believes that resources should instead be redirected towards ambitious Mars missions, which he views as the future of space exploration. NASA has announced plans to deorbit the ISS by 2030, aligning with Musk’s perspective on its eventual retirement. However, the proposal to focus on Mars has sparked a debate within the scientific community and among international partners. Supporters of Musk’s vision argue that prioritizing Mars could lead to groundbreaking advancements in space technology and exploration. They see Mars as a new frontier that could offer insights into the potential for human colonization beyond Earth. On the other hand, critics are concerned about the potential loss of valuable research conducted on the ISS, which has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of space and fostering international cooperation. The ISS has served as a hub for scientific research and collaboration among countries for over two decades. Its experiments have contributed significantly to fields such as medicine, materials science, and Earth observation. The potential loss of this platform raises concerns about the future of international partnerships in space exploration. A gradual transition from the ISS to Mars-focused missions is suggested as a compromise. This approach would allow for continued research on the ISS while gradually shifting resources towards Mars exploration. The ongoing debate highlights the challenges of balancing current scientific endeavors with future aspirations in space exploration.