NASA Awards SpaceX $843 Million for Deorbiting and Controlled Destruction of ISS

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NASA has announced a landmark decision to partner with SpaceX for the deorbiting and controlled destruction of the International Space Station (ISS) later this decade. The U.S. Deorbit Vehicle, a spacecraft designed by SpaceX, will be tasked with guiding the ISS back into Earth's atmosphere when it is retired in 2030. This move is seen as essential to ensure that the decommissioning of the space station is done safely and responsibly, minimizing any risk to populated areas on Earth.

 

The decision underscores the importance of planning for the safe disposal of the ISS, which has been a hub for scientific research and international cooperation since it first became operational in 2000. The ISS has hosted more than 3,300 experiments in microgravity, enabling research that would be impossible to conduct on Earth. These experiments have spanned various fields, including medical sciences and technology demonstrations, making the ISS a cornerstone of human space exploration and scientific advancement.

 

Despite its invaluable contributions, the ISS is showing signs of aging. NASA and its primary partner, Roscosmos, have been unable to fully resolve issues such as microscopic leaks that are becoming increasingly problematic. The decision to intentionally destroy the ISS in a controlled reentry was made after careful consideration of various alternatives, including disassembling the station in orbit or boosting it to a higher orbit with a large spacecraft like SpaceX's Starship. Ultimately, NASA determined that preserving or reusing the ISS was not technically or economically feasible. 

 

NASA published a comprehensive study outlining the reasons behind this decision. The study noted, "The space station is a unique artifact whose historical value cannot be overstated. NASA considered this when determining if any part of the station could be salvaged for historical preservation or technical analysis." Despite acknowledging the ISS's historical significance, the agency concluded that extending its operational lifetime or salvaging parts of it was not practical. This decision, however, does not preclude the possibility of extending the ISS's operational life beyond 2030, which would require agreement with its international partners.

 

As part of its broader strategy, NASA is looking to replace the ISS with private space stations. The agency is actively funding U.S. companies through the Commercial LEO Destinations (CLD) program to develop these next-generation space habitats. These privately built space stations are seen as a cost-effective alternative to the ISS, which costs NASA about $4 billion annually to operate. The ISS itself was a $150 billion endeavor, making the shift to privately funded stations a financially prudent move.

 

The SpaceX-built U.S. Deorbit Vehicle will play a crucial role in this transition. While NASA has not specified whether this new vehicle will be based on SpaceX's existing spacecraft, such as the Dragon capsules, it is clear that the project represents a significant technological and logistical challenge. "It is crucial to prepare for the safe and responsible deorbit of the International Space Station in a controlled manner," NASA stated in its press release. The agency emphasized that the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle is essential to "ensure avoidance of risk to populated areas."

 

This partnership with SpaceX highlights the growing role of private companies in space exploration and infrastructure. As NASA looks to the future, the agency is leveraging the innovation and capabilities of the private sector to manage the end of the ISS era and pave the way for new advancements in space habitation.

 

The decision to deorbit and destroy the ISS marks the end of an era in space exploration. The ISS has been a symbol of international cooperation and scientific progress, but its aging infrastructure necessitates a controlled and safe conclusion to its mission. NASA's collaboration with SpaceX ensures that this transition will be managed with the utmost care, setting the stage for the next generation of space exploration and research.

 

As NASA prepares to retire the ISS, the agency remains committed to advancing human spaceflight and scientific research. The transition to private space stations represents a new chapter in space exploration, one that promises to build on the legacy of the ISS while offering new opportunities for innovation and discovery. The successful deorbiting of the ISS by the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle will be a critical milestone in this ongoing journey.

 

Credit: NBC News 2024-06-28

 

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[Danderman123]

This may seem unbelievable, but a company I founded, and ran by myself for a couple of years, is designing a successor station to ISS. The company has a fairly large contract with NASA, and has very large international partners.

 

It's hard for *me* to believe.

[Danderman123]

Oh, my take on the SpaceX deal: they will de-orbit ISS, but put it in the wrong place.

[Emdog]

Rather than returning it to earth and having it burn up (hopefully) in atmosphere, how about slapping some boosters on it and sending it far, far away from earth orbit? Some of you wiser can explain why can't be done, but would be nice to have some space junk out in distant space to prove their was once almost intelligent life on earth

[ballpoint]

20 hours ago, Danderman123 said:

Oh, my take on the SpaceX deal: they will de-orbit ISS, but put it in the wrong place.

 

They'll stick it where the sun don't shine.

[Danderman123]

1 hour ago, Emdog said:

Rather than returning it to earth and having it burn up (hopefully) in atmosphere, how about slapping some boosters on it and sending it far, far away from earth orbit? Some of you wiser can explain why can't be done, but would be nice to have some space junk out in distant space to prove their was once almost intelligent life on earth

ISS has a mass of 100s of tons.

 

Escape velocity is about 15,000 meters per second from Low Earth Orbit.

 

The amount of propellant required to accelerate ISS that much is more than my calculator can support.