NASA signs $843 million contract with SpaceX aimed to destroy ISS

NASA has selected SpaceX for a crucial mission: the destruction of the International Space Station (ISS). The space agency has reportedly awarded SpaceX a contract worth up to $843 million to safely push the iconic space station out of orbit and back to Earth. This move comes as the ISS nears the end of its operational life. This is reported by SSP.

Under NASA's plan, SpaceX will utilize a specially designed deorbit vehicle to carry out this task. Once the ISS completes its operations around 2030, SpaceX's vehicle will initiate the controlled descent of the football field-sized station. Reentering the Earth's atmosphere at speeds exceeding 17,000 mph (27,500 km/h), the ISS will then make a dramatic splashdown in the ocean.

According to Ken Bowersox, NASA's associate administrator for Space Operations Mission Directorate, this deorbiting process serves multiple purposes. Not only does it align with NASA's plans for future commercial destinations, but it also ensures the continued use of space near Earth. This mission marks a pivotal step towards the next era of space travel and exploration.

Since its inception in 1998, the International Space Station has played a vital role in scientific research and international cooperation. Over the years, astronauts from various nations, including the United States, Japan, Russia, Canada, and Europe, have conducted more than 3,300 scientific experiments aboard the ISS. However, technical faults, leaks, and the expiration of participation contracts among the five nations involved have highlighted the deteriorating state of the space station.

In addition to these challenges, the ISS faces a growing threat from space debris. The orbital environment is cluttered with discarded satellites and other remnants, posing a significant risk to both operational spacecraft and astronauts. Just recently, a Russian satellite's destructive aftermath created hundreds of fragments, prompting the crew aboard the ISS to seek shelter in the Boeing Starliner crew capsule. Although operations resumed after an hour, incidents like these underline the need for diligent management of space debris.

NASA's collaboration with SpaceX to carry out the controlled destruction of the International Space Station reflects the agency's forward-looking approach. As we bid farewell to this remarkable achievement in space exploration, we can look to the future with anticipation for new commercial destinations and continued human presence in Earth's vicinity.