One of the few areas of collaboration between global nuclear powers, the International Space Station (ISS), is set to end its operational life by 2030. The ISS, a joint effort between NASA, Roscosmos (Russia), ESA (Europe), JAXA (Japan), and CSA (Canada), has been a hub for groundbreaking experiments since its launch in 1998. However, its decommissioning marks the conclusion of an era in international space cooperation.
NASA has awarded SpaceX an $843 million contract to execute the complex task of safely deorbiting the ISS. The mission will involve a specially modified version of SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, equipped with enhanced thrusters capable of guiding the massive station into Earth’s atmosphere.
As the ISS reenters the atmosphere, most of the structure will burn up. However, larger modules are expected to survive reentry and land in an undisclosed oceanic location. NASA has yet to confirm the precise splashdown site for these remnants.
Ken Bowersox of NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate emphasized the importance of this transition: “Selecting a U.S. Deorbit 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.”
The ISS’s deorbiting paves the way for new opportunities in low Earth orbit, with plans for at least nine new space stations, including China’s Tiangong station, which has been in orbit since 2021. This new phase is expected to usher in expanded research and commercial endeavors in space.
SpaceX has become a key partner for NASA in recent years, securing multiple high-profile contracts. Among them is a $256 million deal to launch the Dragonfly rotorcraft to explore Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. This mission, set to launch between July 5 and July 25, 2028, will take six years to reach Titan, with the spacecraft expected to land in 2034.
The decommissioning of the ISS marks both an end and a beginning, as space agencies and private companies continue to push the boundaries of human exploration and scientific discovery.
