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NASA awards $843 million contract to SpaceX for safe ISS deorbit
Photo Credit: NASA
NASA has given SpaceX a $843 million contract to build and construct a United States Deorbit Vehicle, ensuring that the International Space Station (ISS) can be safely deorbited at the end of its operational life in 2030.
According to a statement on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) website, this critical step helps the agency shift to commercially owned space destinations while also ensuring that the ISS is disposed of responsibly.
Key points you need to know
Contract Value: $843 million awarded to SpaceX.
Mission: Develop a spacecraft to safely deorbit the ISS.
Timeline: ISS operations to end in 2030, with Russia committed through at least 2028.
Ownership: NASA will own and operate the deorbit vehicle once developed.
Partnerships: The ISS is operated by five space agencies (NASA, ESA, JAXA, CSA, Roscosmos).
Future Plans: Supports NASA’s future commercial space station plans and low Earth orbit activities.
Scientific Impact: ISS has hosted over 3,300 experiments in microgravity, contributing significantly to various fields of research.
Ken Bowersox, associate administrator for NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate, emphasized the importance of this decision for ensuring a safe and responsible transition in low Earth orbit, while continuing the legacy of international partnerships and scientific exploration.
“Selecting a U.S. Deorbit Vehicle for the International Space Station will help NASA and its international partners ensure a safe and responsible transition in low Earth orbit at the end of station operations. This decision also supports NASA’s plans for future commercial destinations and allows for the continued use of space near Earth,” he said as quoted by NASA.
