NASA and SpaceX officials have shared new details about how the International Space Station (ISS) will be deorbited at the end of its operational life in 2030. According to the announcement, SpaceX will be awarded an $843 million contract by NASA next month to connect to the ISS. Subsequently, the company will begin pushing the station towards Earth.
SpaceX’s Plan for the International Space Station
NASA announced today that the process of deorbiting the ISS will be lengthy. SpaceX’s Enhanced Dragon spacecraft will assist in maneuvering the ISS into orbit.
Dana Weigel, NASA’s ISS Program Manager, detailed the agency’s plans for the multimillion-dollar orbital vehicle. Unlike other ISS missions, this one will be operated by NASA but carried out by SpaceX and Northrop Grumman.
Starlink, SpaceX's satellite internet service, announced a new mobile gateway technology with high download speeds.
Before launch, NASA will store and perform periodic maintenance on the vehicle. Afterward, the spacecraft will dock with the ISS to initiate the deorbiting process. Once docked, NASA will conduct a series of checks to ensure the vehicle’s health.
The station is expected to be in orbit for a total of one to one and a half years. A NASA official stated that the crew will remain aboard for an extended period to maintain the station’s health. Weigel also mentioned that while NASA has not yet determined the exact final location of the ISS on Earth, the South Pacific Ocean is a potential site. This plan, announced by NASA at the end of 2023, is set to be implemented in 2030.
