The International Space Station (ISS) has been in orbit around the Earth for over two decades, serving as a laboratory and observatory for astronauts and scientists. However, its time is almost up, and NASA and its international partners are planning to retire the station in a controlled manner in 2030. To achieve this, NASA will use a special spacecraft called the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle (USDV) to guide the ISS to a safe location, where it will then descend at high speed and burn up in the Earth’s atmosphere.
Recently, NASA announced that it has selected SpaceX to build the USDV in a contract worth $843 million. SpaceX will develop and deliver the deorbit spacecraft, which will be owned and operated by NASA for its crucial mission. The space tug is expected to burn up upon reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere, just like the space station itself. However, some parts of the ISS may survive reentry, and NASA will attempt to send those parts to a designated location in the Pacific Ocean, known as “the space cemetery,” where they will be sent to the depths of the ocean.
The importance of getting the ISS reentry right cannot be overstated. Just recently, a piece of space junk released from the space station landed on a Florida home, and a part of a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft also came down in North Carolina. Neither part was expected to survive reentry. NASA is taking a cautious approach to ensure the safe and responsible disposal of the ISS, and working closely with its international partners to achieve this goal.
The ISS has been a vital platform for scientific research and experimentation, and has enabled astronauts to conduct experiments that are not possible on Earth. It has also served as a testing ground for technologies and systems that will be used on future deep space missions. When the ISS is retired, it will be replaced by commercially built space stations, which are expected to provide a new generation of scientific research and exploration opportunities.
NASA Aims to Safely Retire International Space Station in 2030
As part of its plan to increase the presence of humans in space, NASA is also aiming to establish a permanent base on the moon. This lunar base will be a significant step forward in human spaceflight, allowing astronauts to live and work on the moon for extended periods of time. NASA is currently developing the necessary technologies and infrastructure to support this goal, which is expected to be achieved in the coming decades.
In its 24th year of continuous crewed operations, the ISS remains a vital asset for NASA and its international partners. It has provided a unique platform for scientific research and experimentation, and has enabled astronauts to conduct experiments that are not possible on Earth. As NASA prepares to retire the ISS, it is looking to the future, planning for the development of new space stations and lunar bases that will continue to advance our understanding of space and propel humanity forward.
