Deorbit Vehicle — NASA Calls On US Industry To Create International Space Station’s Retirement Ride

The International Space Station (ISS) has been orbiting Earth for over 23 years, and it’s time to start thinking about its retirement. NASA has already announced that the ISS will be deorbited in 2031, and the agency is currently calling on the US industry to develop a new spacecraft to safely bring the station down to Earth.

What is a deorbit vehicle?

A deorbit vehicle is a spacecraft that is specifically designed to deorbit a larger spacecraft. In the case of the ISS, the deorbit vehicle will need to be powerful enough to slow down the station’s massive orbit and bring it down to a safe altitude for re-entry.

Why does NASA need a new deorbit vehicle for the ISS?

The ISS is simply too large to be deorbited using existing spacecraft. The station weighs over 400 tons, and it’s about the size of a football field. The only spacecraft that is currently capable of deorbiting something that large is the Russian Progress spacecraft, but Russia has announced that it will no longer be providing Progress missions to the ISS after 2025.

What are the challenges of developing a deorbit vehicle for the ISS?

Developing a deorbit vehicle for the ISS is a complex and challenging task. The vehicle will need to be powerful enough to slow down the station’s massive orbit, but it also needs to be safe and reliable.

One of the biggest challenges will be designing a vehicle that can safely dock with the ISS. The station is a complex and delicate structure, and any damage caused by docking could be catastrophic.

Another challenge will be designing a vehicle that can safely transport the station’s crew and cargo back to Earth. The vehicle will need to be able to withstand the extreme heat and pressure of re-entry.

What companies are developing deorbit vehicles for the ISS?

A number of companies are currently developing deorbit vehicles for the ISS. Some of the most notable companies include:

• Boeing: Boeing is developing a deorbit vehicle called the Starliner Orbital Space Vehicle (OSV). The OSV is a reusable spacecraft that can be used to transport crew and cargo to and from the ISS.
• SpaceX: SpaceX is developing a deorbit vehicle called the Starship. The Starship is a massive spacecraft that is designed to transport people and cargo to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
• Axiom Space: Axiom Space is developing a deorbit vehicle called the Axiom Deorbit Module. The Axiom Deorbit Module is a modular spacecraft that can be attached to the ISS to provide additional living and working space for the station’s crew.

When will the ISS be deorbited?

NASA has announced that the ISS will be deorbited in 2031. The agency is currently working with US industry to develop a deorbit vehicle that will be able to safely bring the station down to Earth.

What will happen to the ISS after it is deorbited?

After the ISS is deorbited, it will re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and burn up. The vast majority of the station’s debris will vaporize, but some pieces may survive re-entry and land in a remote area of the South Pacific Ocean.

Conclusion

The development of a deorbit vehicle for the ISS is a complex and challenging task, but it is essential for the safe retirement of the station. NASA is currently working with US industry to develop a vehicle that will be able to safely bring the ISS down to Earth in 2031.

Additional information

The ISS is a joint project between NASA, the Russian space agency Roscosmos, the Canadian Space Agency, the European Space Agency, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The station was launched in 1998 and has been continuously inhabited since 2000.

The ISS is a multi-purpose research facility that has been used to conduct experiments in a wide range of fields, including biology, physics, and materials science. The station has also been used to develop new technologies and to train astronauts for future missions to the Moon and Mars.

The ISS is a vital asset for the global space community, and its retirement will be a major milestone. However, the development of a new deorbit vehicle will ensure that the station is retired in a safe and responsible manner.