NASA Awards SpaceX $843 Million Contract to Deorbit the Aging International Space Station
NASA has awarded SpaceX an $843 million contract to safely deorbit the International Space Station (ISS) by the early 2030s. [1][3][4][5]
The aging orbital laboratory, which has been continuously crewed since 2000, is nearing the end of its operational life. Technical issues like persistent leaks and the aging of its core modules have made the ISS increasingly difficult to maintain. [1][4]
To ensure a controlled and safe decommissioning, NASA has selected SpaceX to develop a specialized "Deorbit Vehicle" that will guide the 430-ton, football field-sized station back into Earth's atmosphere. [1][3][5]
The Deorbit Vehicle will latch onto the ISS and use its engines to push the station out of orbit, sending it plummeting back to Earth at over 17,000 mph. The vehicle must be able to execute this maneuver even in the event of multiple system failures, to prevent an uncontrolled reentry that could endanger populated areas. [1][5]
"Selecting a U.S. Deorbit Vehicle for the International Space Station will help NASA and its international partners ensure a safe and responsible transition in low Earth orbit at the end of station operations," said Ken Bowersox, NASA's associate administrator for Space Operations. [3]
The ISS has been a symbol of global cooperation in space since its first module was launched in 1998. Its retirement will mark the end of an era, as NASA plans to transition to commercially operated space stations to support future research and exploration. [1][4]
While the exact timing remains uncertain, the ISS is expected to be deorbited sometime after 2030, when its international operating agreements are set to expire. NASA is committed to maintaining the station through at least that year. [1]
The $843 million contract covers the development of the Deorbit Vehicle, but launch costs will be handled separately. SpaceX's role will be to design, build and deliver the spacecraft, while NASA will take ownership and operate it during the deorbit mission. [3][5]
This latest contract further solidifies SpaceX's role as a critical partner for NASA, following the company's success in providing commercial crew and cargo transportation services to the ISS. [5]
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