📷 Image Credits: Scripps News
NASA has announced that it will pay SpaceX a whopping $843 million to develop a new vehicle capable of safely de-orbiting the International Space Station (ISS). The ISS, which has been in operation for 24 years, is nearing the end of its operational life, and plans are underway to safely dispose of it by 2030. In a bid to facilitate this crucial mission, NASA has selected SpaceX to develop the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle, a spacecraft specifically designed for the de-orbit maneuver.
The U.S. Deorbit Vehicle will be tasked with safely bringing down the massive space station in a controlled manner, ensuring that it does not endanger any populated areas during re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere. Unlike other vehicles used for cargo delivery and crew transport to the ISS, the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle will be owned and operated by NASA post-development.
This significant contract between NASA and SpaceX underscores the collaborative efforts of the five international space agencies – NASA, the Canadian Space Agency, European Space Agency, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and Roscosmos – in ensuring the safe deorbiting of the ISS. The decision to work with SpaceX for this crucial mission reflects NASA’s commitment to a safe and responsible transition in low Earth orbit as it plans for future commercial destinations.
With the ISS set to be decommissioned in 2031, the development and deployment of the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle mark a critical step towards the safe disposal of the iconic space station. The detailed plans for the de-orbiting process and the final target location in the ocean demonstrate NASA’s dedication to managing space debris and ensuring the safety of both the station and Earth’s inhabitants. As the ISS makes way for the next chapter of space exploration, the collaboration between NASA and SpaceX highlights the innovative solutions being developed for the future of space travel.
