Re: Can't help wondering
Because it takes ~4km/sec delta V to put it in a high parking orbit. This translates to a propellant requirement in excess of 900 tonnes, or many hundreds of propellant supply missions. Not affordable.
In contrast, bringing it down under control takes a little less than 50m/sec delta V. Very affordable.
Too bad - I'd love to see the ISS retired to a high orbit, there to serve as a museum in the coming centuries. But we have more important uses for 900 tonnes of propellant meanwhile.