NASA Selects SpaceX for International Space Station Decommissioning
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Introduction
Starship SN9 is currently poised on the launch pad, with its construction site visible in the background as it prepares for its upcoming test flight.
SpaceX has been awarded a significant contract by NASA to manage the decommissioning of the International Space Station (ISS). This $843 million agreement, revealed this week, mandates SpaceX, led by Elon Musk and headquartered in California, to engineer a specialized vehicle capable of safely guiding the 430-ton ISS out of orbit and into the Pacific Ocean by the early 2030s.
Overview of the ISS
Since its launch in 1998, with crewed operations beginning in 2000, the ISS has orbited Earth every 90 minutes at an altitude of approximately 400 kilometers. It has been the site of numerous scientific investigations, from studies on human aging to advances in material science. While engineers confirm the ISS's structure remains sound, proactive measures for its decommissioning are essential to mitigate risks associated with a potential uncontrolled reentry.
Ken Bowersox, NASA’s director of space operations, emphasized, “Selecting a deorbit vehicle for the ISS will facilitate a secure transition in low Earth orbit as operations conclude.”
Future Plans for the ISS
The ISS, a collaborative effort led by the U.S. and Russia with contributions from European, Canadian, and Japanese agencies, will receive funding from Western nations until 2030, with Russia planning to exit by 2028. NASA is actively pursuing the establishment of an international station orbiting the Moon, while also exploring various strategies for the ISS's disposal. These strategies include repurposing components for new missions or transferring control to commercial entities, albeit facing significant logistical and legal hurdles.
Details regarding the design of the “tugboat” intended for the ISS's deorbit have yet to be disclosed by either NASA or SpaceX. This vehicle will require considerable thrust to maneuver the massive structure back to Earth safely. NASA anticipates that commercial space stations will be operational by the time the ISS is retired, with an emphasis on the development of Gateway, a lunar-orbiting platform.
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