Why NASA is paying Elon Musk’s SpaceX $843m to destroy the International Space Station

SpaceX to Deorbit the ISS: NASA Awards $843M Contract

SpaceX, the company founded by Elon Musk, will play a critical role in the controlled deorbiting of the International Space Station (ISS) when its operational life concludes in 2030. NASA has awarded SpaceX a contract worth $843 million to develop the US Deorbit Vehicle (USDV). Here’s a detailed breakdown of the plan:

Key Information:

• Contract Value: $843 million
• Agency Involved: NASA
• Primary Contractor: SpaceX
• Target Date for Deorbiting: 2030
• ISS Partners: JAXA (Japan), CSA (Canada), ESA (Europe), Roscosmos (Russia)

Background:

SpaceX’s Origin: SpaceX owes much of its early success to NASA's need for an uncrewed cargo vehicle to supply the ISS, leading to the development of the Falcon 9.

Contract Details: Unlike most SpaceX projects, NASA will own and operate the USDV until the ISS is decommissioned.

Why Deorbit the ISS?

• Aging Structure: The ISS, with its core components launched in 1998, has been subjected to extensive wear and tear.
• Structural Life: Key modules were designed for a 30-year lifespan in low Earth orbit. They will complete 32 years by 2030.
• Safety Concerns: NASA's Orbital Debris Program Office estimates that if the ISS were to break apart in orbit, it would create approximately 220 million pieces of debris greater than 1 mm in size.
• Economic and Technical Feasibility: Disassembling the ISS or boosting it to a higher orbit were deemed impractical compared to controlled deorbiting.

Planned Deorbit Process:

• Controlled Reentry: The USDV will guide the ISS into a controlled descent, ensuring it lands in a remote part of the Pacific Ocean.
• Risk Mitigation: This method is chosen to avoid the potential risk to populated areas on Earth.

Statements:

NASA’s Announcement: "It is crucial to prepare for the safe and responsible deorbit of the International Space Station in a controlled manner to avoid risks to populated areas."

Future Plans:

• Continuation Until 2030: NASA and its international partners plan to keep the ISS operational through 2030.
• Potential Extension: The station's lifespan might extend beyond 2030 if commercial alternatives are not ready in orbit.
• Post-ISS Era: NASA aims to replace the ISS with privately built space stations.

Overview :

The decision to deorbit the ISS marks the end of an era for the longest-serving crewed space vehicle. SpaceX’s involvement underscores its pivotal role in modern space exploration and its ongoing partnership with NASA. This deorbit mission not only ensures the safety and sustainability of space operations but also paves the way for future advancements in orbital research facilities.