How SpaceX Will Deorbit The ISS

SpaceX is gearing up for a historic mission to deorbit the International Space Station (ISS) using a specially designed Dragon spacecraft variant. This new deorbit vehicle, featuring 46 Draco thrusters, will safely guide the ISS to its final resting place in the south Pacific Ocean within the next decade. Building on the proven Dragon cargo spacecraft, this vehicle will include additional propellant tanks, engines, and NASA-certified hardware to ensure reliability. NASA has awarded SpaceX an $843 million contract to develop this vehicle, which will play a crucial role in safely retiring the ISS as new commercial space stations take over. The mission is set for January 2031, coinciding with a solar cycle minimum to ensure a controlled reentry. This effort marks a significant milestone in SpaceX's partnership with NASA and the future of space exploration.

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