Reference image – The International Space Station is located in low Earth orbit.
Photo: NASA
NASA, in a statement, explained that Elon Musk’s SpaceX will be the company in charge of officially dismantling the International Space Station, which was launched in 1998. The agency plans to carry out this operation in 2031.
According to a statement, Elon Musk’s company will receive $843 million to develop and build the “American Deorbit Vehicle,” which will be responsible for bringing the space station back to Earth.
NASA has not yet provided additional information on the specifics of the spacecraft, or how it will ensure that parts of the station do not burn up during reentry and land in an area known as Point Nemo in the Pacific Ocean.
Ken Bowersox, NASA associate administrator for the Space Operations Mission Directorate, in the statement explained that “this decision also supports NASA’s plans for future commercial destinations and allows for the continued use of space near Earth.”
The International Space Station is currently the largest man-made object ever to orbit the planet, measuring 356 feet long and weighing nearly 450 tons. NASA noted that “more than 270 astronauts from around the world have visited the station so far, conducting more than 3,300 experiments in the process.”
Currently, there are seven astronauts aboard the station. This decision is made by NASA due to the different failures that the station has recently presented, such as microscopic leaks in the hull and software failures.
