NASA chooses SpaceX to build ISS de-orbit vehicle for $843 million after 2030 decommission

As the ISS (International Space Station) approaches the end of its operation life, NASA has started preparations to bring the space station down from its home in orbit after the end of its operational life in 2030.

According to the BBC, SpaceX has been selected as the contractor to carry out the demolition and decommissioning of the ISS. The $843 million contract involves building a vehicle to “safely and responsibly” guide the ISS out of orbit and to a landing in the Pacific Ocean.

"Selecting a U.S. De-orbit Vehicle for the International Space Station will help NASA and its international partners ensure a safe and responsible transition in low Earth orbit at the end of station operations. This decision also supports NASA’s plans for future commercial destinations and allows for the continued use of space near Earth." –Ken Bowersox, associate administrator for Space Operations Mission Directorate at NASA.

NASA emphasised the importance of bringing the ISS down to Earth in a controlled manner, likely to avoid adding more space debris to the orbital zones. NASA estimated [PDF] that allowing the ISS to be destroyed or fragmented in orbit would produce “220 million pieces of debris greater than 1 mm in size.” While parts of the space station will likely burn up on re-entry, the larger parts could pose a significant risk to the public if the re-entry isn't controlled.

The actual mission will consist of allowing the ISS's orbit to slowly decay, after which, the last remaining crew will trigger the final re-entry manoeuvre and evacuate the de-orbit vehicle. The ISS will then be guided to the remote Point Nemo in the Pacific Ocean, which is more than 2,500 km (ca. 1,553 miles) from any landmass.

While SpaceX will be responsible for developing the decommission vehicle, the mission itself will be carried out by NASA. There is no exact date set for the de-orbit mission, and neither NASA nor SpaceX have published any specifications or details about the de-orbit vehicle, but the ISS mission only has continued funding until 2030.

Commemorate the ISS with a LEGO Ideas International Space Station 21321 Building Kit or Metal Earth Fascinations Premium Series International Space Station 3D Metal Model Kit from Amazon.