SpaceX will destroy International Space Station

Elon Musk's company given permission to take ISS out of orbit by 2030

NASA astronaut Mike Hopkins, Expedition 38 Flight Engineer, on an ISS space walk on 24th December 2013. Image: NASA

Image:
NASA astronaut Mike Hopkins, Expedition 38 Flight Engineer, on an ISS space walk on 24th December 2013. Image: NASA

Elon Musk's SpaceX has won an $843 million contract to destroy the International Space Station when it reaches the end of its usable life.

The ISS was originally launched in 1998, as a place for international scientists to cooperate on experiments to learn more about living and working in space.

Each section was launched individually and assembled by astronauts in orbit. Five space agencies - the European Space Agency (ESA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Canadian Space Agency (CSA), State Space Corporation Roscosmos and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) - are responsible for ISS maintenance, with each looking after separate sections.

Astronauts have continually occupied the station since the year 2000 , conducting more than 3,300 experiments in the last 24 years.

However, the international agreements that kept the station supplied and operational are due to expire in 2030 (Russia has only committed to continued operations through 2028), meaning the ISS will need to be safely 'de-orbited' and allowed to "destructively breakup" on re-entry.

NASA chose Elon Musk's firm, SpaceX, to build the US Deorbit Vehicle that will tug the ISS out of its orbit and back towards Earth's atmosphere.

Ken Bowersox, associate administrator for Space Operations Mission Directorate at NASA HQ in Washington, said, "Selecting a US 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."

NASA says it is transitioning to "commercially owned space destinations closer to home," meaning any future space-based lab will likely be built and operated by a private company.

Although SpaceX will build the Deorbit Vehicle, NASA will take ownership after development and operate it throughout its mission.

"NASA says, "Lessons learned aboard [the] International Space Station are helping to pass the torch to future commercial stations"