NASA and SpaceX Partner for Historic ISS Deorbit Mission

NASA has awarded SpaceX an $843 million contract to develop a spacecraft that will safely guide the International Space Station (ISS) out of orbit and into a controlled reentry in 2030. This mission marks a significant milestone in space exploration history, as the ISS, the largest human-made object to ever orbit Earth, prepares for its retirement after over two decades of continuous operation.

The US Deorbit Vehicle, to be developed by SpaceX, will function as a powerful "tugboat" capable of steering the massive 900,000-pound, 358-foot structure out of its stable orbit. The spacecraft, likely a variant of SpaceX's Starship, will be responsible for ensuring the ISS burns up during reentry, targeting a splashdown in the ocean to minimize risks associated with potential debris surviving atmospheric reentry.

Ken Bowersox, NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate associate administrator, emphasized that this decision supports the agency's plans for future commercial destinations and continued use of near-Earth space. The deorbit mission presents unique challenges, as not all parts of the ISS are expected to burn up completely during reentry, necessitating precise targeting to minimize risks to populated areas.

Prior to selecting SpaceX, NASA explored various options for the ISS's retirement, including third-party sale, disassembly in orbit, and responsible deorbiting, ultimately choosing the latter as the most practical solution. The decision to deorbit the ISS aligns with the broader shift in the aerospace industry towards commercially-owned space stations, supporting NASA's focus on the Artemis Program and efforts to establish the Gateway Station in lunar orbit.