Showing great confidence in Elon Musk’s SpaceX, NASA has awarded the private space company a contract worth nearly $1 billion. The contract is for the development of a “de-orbit vehicle,” which will be tasked with guiding the International Space Station out of orbit by the end of the decade.
“NASA announced that SpaceX has been selected to develop and deliver the U.S. deorbit vehicle, which will provide the capability to deorbit the Space Station and ensure no risk to populated areas.”the space agency wrote in a press release.
The ISS, launched in 1998, recently extended its operational life from 2024 to 2030. Russia plans to retire from the ISS in the coming years and focus on building its own space station. The controlled reentry vehicle will direct the ISS into the Pacific Ocean.
“Selecting a U.S. reentry vehicle for the International Space Station will help NASA and its international partners ensure a safe and responsible transition to low Earth orbit at the end of station operations. This decision also supports NASA’s plans for future commercial destinations and enables the continued use of near-Earth space“Wrote Ken Bowersox, associate administrator for the Space Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, in a press release.
In January, Musk contemplated building stations on both the Moon and Mars.
Space X leads the way in number of space launches. Europe’s ArianeSpace isn’t even there
SpaceX launched approximately 429,125 kg of spacecraft in the first quarter, significantly surpassing China’s (China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation) rocket program, which launched a paltry 29,426 kg.
Meanwhile, Musk posts a spectacular landing of SpaceX boosters
Meanwhile, SpaceX is selling directors’ shares at $112 per share, so the asset value would be $201 billion…
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