The National Aeronautic and Space Administration of the United States has announced a plan to use a new spacecraft developed by the US-based firm SpaceX to bring the International Space Station out of orbit after the end of its operational life in 2030.
The agency says it is crucial to prepare for the safe and responsible deorbit of the ISS in a controlled manner.
Following the beginning of the construction in 1998, crew members have conducted various research experiments since 2000.
It is now in orbit 400 kilometers above the Earth.
The deorbiting plan is to use SpaceX’s Dragon, which is currently used for supply transportation, as a concept base for the new vehicle.
NASA says that “about half of it will be new design, new development and 100 percent of the new deorbit functionality.”
It says lowering the ISS will take time and that engines of the new deorbiting vehicle, being docked to the station, will be used to lower the station’s orbit to make atmospheric re-entry.
NASA says as some elements of the station could survive burning when re-entering the atmosphere, the trajectory will be controlled to target unpopulated ocean areas to avoid any risk to the public.
It says the South Pacific is one of the potential locations.
The contract with SpaceX for developing the new spaceship is said to have a total value of 843 million dollars.