NASA announced on Wednesday that it has chosen SpaceX to build a vehicle capable of guiding the International Space Station (ISS) back into Earth's atmosphere for its planned destruction by 2030.
The contract awarded to Elon Musk's company is valued at up to $843 million, according to a NASA statement cited by Digi24 the American space agency had previously outlined its intention to deorbit the ISS over an ocean after its operational lifespan ends.
Some parts of the station will disintegrate during the maneuver, while more robust components will splash down into the sea.
The Need for a Powerful Deorbiting Vehicle
This operation necessitates the development of a robust vehicle capable of maneuvering the approximately 430,000 kg space station.
Similar to the ISS, the vehicle itself will disintegrate upon reentry into Earth's atmosphere, NASA clarified.
Once developed, the vehicle will be owned by NASA, which will oversee its operation during the ISS disposal mission.
The United States, Japan, Canada, and European nations have committed to continue ISS operations until 2030, with Russia currently committed until 2028. "Safely deorbiting the International Space Station is the responsibility of all five space agencies," NASA emphasized on Wednesday.
Looking Ahead: Private Space Stations and International Cooperation
Despite geopolitical tensions, the ISS remains a rare area of cooperation between Washington and Moscow. During a congressional hearing in April, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson underscored the urgency of developing such a vehicle in the United States to ensure the end of the ISS.
"In six years, are we going to have the same relationship to bring it down with the Russians? We can't count on that," he said.
"Therefore, we need to start right now building this American off-ramp vehicle that can safely bring the entire station back to Earth, so it doesn't hit anyone or anything," he added.
Beyond 2030, the United States is banking on private space stations in low Earth orbit, which could host NASA astronauts and other clients. Several American companies are already working on these projects, including Axiom Space and Blue Origin.
