SpaceX to Build Vehicle to Deorbit Space Station

The U.S. space agency NASA has chosen SpaceX to produce a vehicle to take the International Space Station (ISS) out of orbit at the end of its service life.NASA recently announced that SpaceX will design, develop, and build the spacecraft. The vehicle will aim to guide the ISS through a final reentry into Earth’s atmosphere. NASA calls the spacecraft the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle. The agency said the deorbiting operation will take place sometime after the station’s “operational life,” which has been set for 2030.

NASA said its contract with SpaceX to build the deorbit vehicle was worth $843 million. This does not include costs to launch the vehicle. The agency said the launch would be part of a future contract.