system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5 Why is there an "expiration date" of any sort on the ISS?

I keep hearing things like "The ISS will operate through 2024 or 2030", etc.

Why?  Why is there some "end date" in sight?   Seems like it's eternally and exponentially useful to keep it up there and keep it operating.   Why not just keep refitting and refurbishing it as needed?  It certainly seems more cost effective.   It has the ability to keep boosting it's own orbit as needed.   What am i missing here?
gpt
For the same reason that anything has to be replaced. Eventually it will wear out enough to the point where all the maintenance required just won't be worth it anymore.

They won't be ditching the whole thing though. A lot of the newer modules are planned to be reused for other applications.