In a significant development announced by NASA on Wednesday, SpaceX has been selected to lead a pivotal mission: de-orbiting the International Space Station (ISS) in 2030. The contract, valued at up to $843 million, tasks SpaceX with developing a specialized spacecraft designed specifically for this purpose, marking a critical step as the ISS approaches the end of its operational lifespan.
As the world turns its attention to the next generation of commercially owned space stations, the original trailblazer in orbital research, the ISS, is being prepared for a controlled, safe descent from orbit. The task of ensuring the space station’s end comes without risk to populated areas falls to SpaceX, underlining the trust and reliance NASA places in its capabilities.
Dubbed the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle, the craft is distinct from SpaceX’s other contributions to NASA, such as the Dragon capsule that ferries cargo and crew to the ISS. In a departure from the usual practice, NASA will assume ownership and operational responsibility for the Deorbit Vehicle once it’s developed, a testament to the mission’s unique requirements and critical nature.
The mechanics of the mission are daunting. Both the ISS and the Deorbit Vehicle are expected to destructively break up upon re-entering Earth’s atmosphere, necessitating precise planning and execution to avoid any hazards to populated areas.
The decision to assign this monumental task to SpaceX comes after considerations of other potential options, including a proposal to use a Russian Roscosmos Progress spacecraft for the de-orbit mission. However, further studies made it clear that a newly designed spacecraft was necessary to achieve the controlled de-orbital descent required.
This contract is part of a broader collaboration among the international partners that support the ISS, including the Canadian Space Agency, European Space Agency, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and State Space Corporation Roscosmos. It remains to be confirmed whether the funding for this contract will be shared among all participating agencies.
Further details about the launch specifics for the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle are expected to be announced separately, adding another layer of anticipation to this critical end-of-life phase for the ISS.
As SpaceX prepares to undertake this crucial mission, the global space community watches closely, aware that the successful de-orbiting of the ISS will be a significant milestone in space exploration and international cooperation. We have reached out to NASA for more insights on this project and will provide updates as more information becomes available.