The International Space Station (ISS), a symbol of international collaboration in space exploration, is set for a dramatic end. After over three decades in orbit, the sprawling laboratory will be intentionally deorbited and destroyed in a controlled reentry in 2031. The task of bringing down the ISS has been awarded to SpaceX, who will use a modified Dragon spacecraft equipped with a powerful rocket and a record number of engines to guide the station towards a watery grave in the South Pacific Ocean.
This decision follows NASA’s assessment of various options, including bringing the station back to Earth, handing it over to private companies, or boosting it to a higher orbit. However, the complexity and cost associated with dismantling the ISS in orbit, coupled with the lack of a suitable spacecraft, led NASA to opt for a controlled deorbit.
The ISS, a testament to human ingenuity and scientific advancement, has played a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of space, conducting groundbreaking research, and inspiring generations. As the station nears the end of its operational life, NASA seeks to ensure a safe and controlled reentry, minimizing potential risks associated with debris.
The plan involves SpaceX launching a specially designed Dragon spacecraft, packed with fuel and engines, to dock with the ISS. The spacecraft will then guide the station towards a predetermined reentry point over the South Pacific, ensuring that the majority of the debris falls into the vast expanse of the ocean. However, some larger pieces, ranging in size from a microwave oven to a sedan, are expected to survive reentry and scatter along a debris field spanning 1,200 miles (2,000 kilometers).
The deorbiting process will begin six months before the planned destruction. The crew aboard the ISS will depart the station and return to Earth, leaving the station to be slowly lowered by the Dragon spacecraft. Once the ISS reaches an altitude of approximately 137 miles (220 kilometers), the Dragon will initiate the final descent, culminating in a fiery reentry over the South Pacific four days later.
While this marks the end of an era for the ISS, it also signifies a new chapter for space exploration. NASA plans to transition to a new era of privately funded and operated space stations, focusing its resources on ambitious missions to the Moon and Mars. The knowledge gained and the infrastructure developed during the ISS era will pave the way for future advancements and further exploration of the cosmos.
This plan echoes the fate of NASA’s first space station, Skylab, which reentered Earth’s atmosphere in 1979, with debris scattering over Australia and the Pacific Ocean. Russia, with its experience in operating and deorbiting space stations like Mir, has played a crucial role in this process, contributing to the knowledge and expertise that informs NASA’s plans for the ISS.
In the final years of the ISS, NASA intends to bring back some smaller items for museum display, including the ship’s bell, logs, and panels bearing patches and mementos. These items will be transported back to Earth in SpaceX supply ships, serving as a lasting reminder of the station’s legacy.
The deorbiting of the ISS marks a significant milestone in space exploration. While it signifies the end of one chapter, it also opens new avenues for scientific discovery and human ambition in the vast expanse of space.
