SpaceX awarded $843 million contract by NASA to build vehicle for ISS reentry destruction

From CNBC: 2024-06-26 19:15:02

NASA has awarded SpaceX an $843 million contract to build a “U.S. Deorbit Vehicle,” designed to guide the International Space Station’s destruction later this decade. The vehicle will safely push the ISS into reentry from orbit, avoiding risk to populated areas. The ISS has been crewed since 2000, with experiments in medical sciences and technology.

NASA published a study on why the ISS will be intentionally destroyed in a controlled reentry. Alternatives like disassembling the station in orbit or raising it with SpaceX’s Starship were evaluated but deemed infeasible. The agency plans to replace the ISS with privately built space stations, funded through programs like the Commercial LEO Destinations (CLD) program.



Read more at CNBC: SpaceX wins NASA contract for ISS reentry destruction