SpaceX and NASA Plan for Post-ISS Era with New Contracts and Collaborations
SpaceX has secured an $843 million contract to deorbit the International Space Station (ISS) as its operational life ends in 2030. The mission will involve a modified SpaceX Dragon spacecraft with enhanced thrusters to guide the ISS into Earth's atmosphere, where it will mostly burn up, with larger pieces landing in a designated area. This contract supports NASA's transition plans for low Earth orbit and future commercial space endeavors.