Space station to be destroyed by Musk’s SpaceX.?
NASA Selects SpaceX to Destroy International Space Station
NASA has chosen SpaceX to demolish the International Space Station (ISS) when its useful life ends. This decision comes with a deal worth up to $843 million.
A Brief History of the ISS
The ISS was launched in 1998, with continuous crew occupation since 2000. It has hosted thousands of scientific experiments, making it a vital platform for space research.
The Need for Responsible Disposal
If left unchecked, the ISS would eventually return to Earth, posing a significant risk to everyone on the planet. NASA and its international partners must ensure a safe and responsible transition in low Earth orbit.
SpaceX’s Role
SpaceX will build a vehicle to propel the 430-tonne ISS into the Pacific Ocean. This feat requires significant thrust to maneuver the station safely into the atmosphere.
Future Plans
NASA hopes that private companies will launch commercial space stations by the time the ISS is decommissioned. The agency will focus on building the Gateway platform, which will orbit the moon.
Challenges and Considerations
Disassembling the station and integrating newer components into a future platform is one option. However, the cost and complexity of this approach vary, and legal challenges arise when sorting out ownership difficulties.
Conclusion
NASA’s partnership with SpaceX ensures the responsible disposal of the ISS. As the space agency looks to the future, private companies will play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of space stations.
After the last crew member is removed, controllers will let the ISS’s route gradually deteriorate and will also give the tugboat instructions to carry out the last- route maneuver. Point Nemo is a remote point in the Pacific that is targeted by spare spacecraft. The target graveyard, named for the well-known submarine shipman from Jules Verne’s book 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, is located further than 2,500 kilometers from the closest landmass. By the time the ISS is launched, NASA hopes that multitudinous private sodalities will have begun launching marketable space stations. The space agencies will direct their sweat on a design to construct the Gateway platform, which would circle the moon.