NASA and SpaceX to Deorbit ISS in 2031: A Historic Mission

NASA, in collaboration with SpaceX, plans to deorbit the International Space Station (ISS) in 2031. The mission involves using a custom Dragon capsule to guide the ISS to a controlled descent over a remote ocean. The goal is to make room for commercial space stations, allowing NASA to focus on lunar and Martian exploration.

NASA and SpaceX have announced a monumental plan to deorbit the International Space Station by 2031. Utilizing a souped-up Dragon capsule, the mission aims to safely guide the ISS to a controlled descent into a remote ocean location.

This $843 million contract will see SpaceX's advanced spacecraft take on the task. Traditional methods like dismantling were dismissed due to safety and logistical concerns. NASA looks to this effort as a bridge to commercial space stations, shifting its focus to deep-space missions such as moon and Mars travel.

NASA and SpaceX hope to bring back smaller mementos from the ISS for museum displays, while larger components will be left to burn up on reentry, aiming for a seamless transition between space exploration eras.

(With inputs from agencies.)