NASA has chosen SpaceX to develop and build a vehicle capable of deorbiting the International Space Station (ISS)in a safe and controlled manner after the end of its operational life in 2030, while avoiding any risks to populated areas on Earth. In a note, the American space agency explains that the contract with Elon Musk’s company has a total value of 843 million dollars. While the launch service for the deorbit vehicle will be contracted out at a later stage.
Safe Transition
“Selecting an American vehicle for the International Space Station will help NASA and its partners ensure a safe and responsible transition to low-Earth orbit after the station’s operations end. This decision also supports NASA’s plans for future commercial destinations and enables continued use of near-Earth space,” he said. Ken Bowersox, associate administrator for the Space Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters Washington: “The Orbital Laboratory remains a blueprint for science, exploration and partnerships in space for the benefit of all.”
NASA will manage the mission
While SpaceX will develop the spacecraft in orbit, NASA will take ownership of it after development and operate it for the duration of its mission. Along with the space station, the spacecraft is also expected to self-destruct during the reentry process.
Five Allied Agencies
Since 1998, five space agencies, Csa (Canadian Apacial Agency), Esa (European Space Agency), Jaxa (Japan aerospace exploration agency), Nasa (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and the state space company Roscosmosoperate the International Space Station, and each agency is responsible for managing and controlling the hardware it provides.
ISS active until 2030
The station was designed to be interdependent and relies on contributions from across the partnership to function. The United States, Japan, Canada and ESA participating countries have committed to operating the station until 2030.. Russia has committed to continuing the station’s operations until at least 2028. Safe deorbiting of the International Space Station is the responsibility of all five space agencies.
