NASA Awards SpaceX $1 Billion Contract
NASA has recently granted SpaceX a contract worth nearly $1 billion to create a “US Deorbit Vehicle,” intended to decommission the International Space Station (ISS) by guiding it into the Earth’s atmosphere. This task, however, is quite challenging.
Gradual Deorbiting and Controlled Re-Entry
According to NASA, the decommissioning process will involve a gradual deorbiting maneuver followed by a controlled re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere. This procedure, targeted for the 2030s, is expected to take approximately 12 to 18 months to complete.
End of an Era for the ISS
While the ISS has been a successful international collaboration for many years, its operational lifespan is nearing its end. NASA has awarded a contract to develop a spacecraft specifically designed to carefully guide the station out of its current orbit and initiate a safe descent.
Dana Weigel, ISS program manager at NASA, said, “We’ll leave the crew on board as long as possible, so they’re available to help maintain the station and keep it healthy.”
She added, “Our plan is for [the crew] to leave about six months before the final reentry, as the ISS reaches about 220 kilometers.” That’s approximately half of the average altitude at which the space station orbits the Earth.
Complex Deorbiting Actions
“Then, at the right time, it’ll perform a complex series of actions over several days to deorbit the ISS,” she explained. The slow deorbiting will allow for a controlled re-entry, ensuring most of the station breaks up harmlessly over unpopulated areas. This plan minimizes any potential risk to people or property on Earth.
This development marks a major milestone in the ISS program, paving the way for future space exploration endeavors.
