Credit: Reuters, Nasa NASA has awarded Elon Musk's SpaceX an $843 million contract to develop a specialised vehicle for the controlled deorbiting of the International Space Station (ISS) after its retirement in 2030. The plan involves guiding the ISS safely back into Earth's atmosphere, ensuring that it disintegrates over a predetermined remote area of the Pacific Ocean, minimizing risks to populated regions. The deorbiting process is expected to take approximately 18 months, during which the ISS's orbit will be gradually lowered until it reenters the atmosphere. SpaceX will utilise an enhanced version of its Dragon spacecraft, equipped with upgraded thrusters and additional fuel, to execute the final trajectory adjustments necessary for the ISS's descent. NASA emphasises that a controlled deorbit is crucial to avoid potential hazards posed by an uncontrolled descent, which could endanger people and property on the ground. The ISS has been operational since 1998 and has served as a hub for international collaboration in scientific research. Its retirement marks the end of a significant era in human space exploration. Following the ISS's decommissioning, NASA intends to transition to privately built space stations, paving the way for new commercial ventures in low Earth orbit. Related Stories