NASA awards SpaceX nearly $1B contract to decommission the Space Station (ISS) and crash it into the sea

NASA has awarded SpaceX a nearly $1 billion contract for the planned decommission and removal of the International Space Station (ISS) from orbit at the end of its operational life in 2030, a significant vote of confidence for Elon Musk’s space company.

As part of the contract, SpaceX will develop and deliver a “Deorbit Vehicle” to safely guide the ISS out of orbit and “ensure avoidance of risk to populated areas.”

“NASA has selected SpaceX to develop and deliver the US Deorbit Vehicle, ensuring the ISS can be deorbited safely, mitigating risks to populated areas,” the NASA said in a press release.

The ISS, which has been in operation since its launch in 1998, recently had its operational life extended from 2024 to 2030. As Russia plans to withdraw from the ISS partnership to focus on building its own space station, the Deorbit Vehicle will guide the ISS into a controlled descent over the Pacific Ocean.

“Choosing a US Deorbit Vehicle for the ISS helps NASA and its international partners ensure a safe and responsible transition in low Earth orbit as the station’s operations wind down. This decision supports NASA’s future commercial space endeavors and allows continued use of near-Earth space,” said Ken Bowersox, associate administrator for the Space Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters.

According to the news release, SpaceX will develop the deorbit spacecraft, after which NASA will take ownership and manage its mission. The vehicle, along with the ISS, is expected to break up destructively during re-entry.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), NASA said:

“We have selected @SpaceX to develop and deliver the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle and prepare for a safe and responsible deorbit of the @Space_Station after the end of its operational life in 2030. Learn more: https://go.nasa.gov/3VYdkbj”

We have selected @SpaceX to develop and deliver the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle and prepare for a safe and responsible deorbit of the @Space_Station after the end of its operational life in 2030. Learn more: https://t.co/ogAhEazBpt pic.twitter.com/5pyBPfobkp

— NASA (@NASA) June 26, 2024

Since 1998, the ISS has been a joint project of five space agencies: NASA, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), the European Space Agency (ESA), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and the Russian State Space Corporation Roscosmos. Each agency is responsible for managing and controlling its respective hardware contributions. The United States, Japan, Canada, and the participating ESA countries have committed to maintaining the station through 2030, while Russia has pledged to continue its involvement until at least 2028. The safe deorbiting of the ISS is a collective responsibility of all five agencies.

The contract awarded to SpaceX is valued at $843 million, with the launch service for the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle to be procured in the future, according to NASA’s news release.

SpaceX was founded on March 14, 2002, by Elon Musk with the primary objective of cutting down space transportation costs and making space travel more economically viable. Over the years, the company has achieved significant milestones, boasting successful developments such as the Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Dragon spacecraft. Notably, SpaceX holds the distinction of being the first private company to launch, orbit, and recover a spacecraft.

Today, SpaceX stands as one of the most valuable private companies globally, spearheading advancements in commercial spaceflight. The company is actively engaged in various projects, including the ambitious Starship spacecraft. Designed for reusability, Starship aims to transport both people and cargo to destinations like the Moon and Mars, showcasing SpaceX’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of space exploration.