NASA Selects SpaceX to Deorbit the ISS by 2030

NASA has awarded SpaceX a contract worth $843 million to develop a specialized vehicle to safely deorbit the International Space Station (ISS) at the end of its operational life in 2030. This move comes as part of NASA's broader strategy to ensure a safe transition from the ISS to future commercial space stations.

The new vehicle, known as the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle, will be tasked with guiding the ISS to a controlled reentry and eventual disposal in the remote waters of the Pacific Ocean, specifically at Point Nemo, an area known as the graveyard for decommissioned satellites and spacecraft.

The ISS, which has been continuously inhabited since 2001, represents a significant international collaboration involving NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and the Russian space agency Roscosmos. While the U.S., Japan, Canada, and ESA have committed to supporting ISS operations through 2030, Russia has confirmed its participation only until 2028.

The decision to entrust SpaceX with this critical task follows a competitive selection process. NASA sought proposals from private companies to design a vehicle capable of safely deorbiting the massive structure. After evaluating various submissions, NASA concluded that SpaceX's proposal offered the most viable solution.

The contract does not include launch costs, which will be negotiated separately. Once developed, NASA will take ownership of the vehicle and oversee its operation throughout the deorbit mission.

In preparation for the ISS's retirement, NASA is fostering the development of commercial space stations. Several companies, including Axiom Space, Blue Origin, and Northrop Grumman, are already working on next-generation orbital habitats. These commercial stations are expected to take over the ISS's role in supporting scientific research, technological development, and international cooperation in space.