SpaceX is building a ship to destroy the International Space Station. At NASA’s request

NASA has selected SpaceX for the noble task of ending the International Space Station, one of the largest cooperation projects between countries in history.

A deorbit vehicle. SpaceX has been selected to develop and deliver to NASA a space vehicle that will deorbit the International Space Station (ISS) in a controlled manner at the end of its useful life, in the year 2030.

SpaceX will receive $843 million for this unique contract, but it will be NASA who will take charge of the vehicle once in orbit. SpaceX is also expected to receive a contract in the future for the launch of the new spacecraft.

Accompanying the ISS in its fiery finale. The ship developed by SpaceX will be used to “tow” the space station to a place far from any population where it will re-enter safely.

NASA expects that most of the ISS, as well as the deorbit vehicle, will disintegrate in the atmosphere during its re-entry, expected over the Pacific Ocean.

More than 30 years in orbit. Launched in November 1998, the International Space Station is a microgravity laboratory operated by five space agencies.

In addition to NASA, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), the European Space Agency (ESA), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Russian State Space Corporation (Roscosmos) participate.

Russia has committed to continue operating the station until at least 2028, while the United States, Japan, Canada and ESA participating countries are committed to continuing until 2030.

After the ISS. The appearance of several cracks in the Russian segment shows that the International Space Station is reaching the end of its useful life, especially due to the fatigue of its materials.

NASA considered boosting the space station to a higher orbit to safely operate it, but ruled it out because the boost could destroy its aging structures.

And even if it didn’t, there are other reasons to abandon the project, such as the increasing likelihood of space debris impacts, extremely high maintenance costs.

The commercial stations already in the pipeline will allow space agencies to focus on manned missions beyond low Earth orbit, such as the Artemis program and future trips to Mars.

Image | POT

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