Falling out of the Sky

SpaceX chosen to deorbit the ISS

The International Space Station (ISS) stands as a pinnacle of human achievement in space exploration, embodying international cooperation and scientific advancement. Born from the vision of a permanent human presence in space, the ISS represents the combined efforts of NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, JAXA, and CSA. Its creation began in 1998 with the launch of the Russian Zarya module, initiating an ongoing journey of assembly and collaboration¹.

International Space Station - NASA

The ISS in Numbers

Since its first crewed mission in 2000, the ISS has hosted over 240 astronauts from 19 countries. It serves as a unique microgravity laboratory where over 2,500 experiments have been conducted, contributing to fields such as biology, physics, astronomy, and medicine. These experiments have not only advanced our understanding of space but have also provided insights beneficial to life on Earth​².

Life on the ISS is both challenging and fascinating. The station orbits Earth at about 28,000 kilometers per hour, completing 16 orbits a day. Astronauts onboard manage scientific research, perform maintenance tasks, and participate in spacewalks. The station itself is equipped with amenities comparable to a six-bedroom house, including two bathrooms, a gym, and a 360-degree bay window for breathtaking views of our planet​ (NASA)​.

Photo by ActionVance on Unsplash

Scientific Milestones

The ISS has facilitated over 3000 groundbreaking experiments in microgravity, offering insights into biology, chemistry, physics, and astronomy. Experiments have led to advancements in medical treatments, materials science, and fluid dynamics. Studies on the physiological effects of long-term spaceflight are paving the way for future missions to Mars and beyond.

Aging and Decommissioning

Despite its successes, the ISS is aging, and the components onboard are coming to the end of its life. By 2030, it will be decommissioned, marking the end of an era. NASA has awarded SpaceX a $834 million contract to develop a spacecraft for a controlled re-entry, ensuring the ISS safely burns up in the atmosphere. This responsible end reflects both the station's wear and tear and the need to allocate resources to new space endeavors.

But what would this entail exactly?

With space debris entering our atmosphere on a weekly basis, burning up into a crisp. However, on the scale of the ISS, it won’t burn up completely as seen with a recent lawsuit from a Florida resident against NASA after daa piece of a pallet damaged their house.

When discarded, the pallet weighed about 5,800 pounds, much less than the ISS's 925,335 pounds. Factors like shape, density, and atmospheric conditions determine how much survives reentry. An uncontrolled descent of the ISS would be disastrous, with large fragments likely reaching Earth and debris potentially falling anywhere along its orbit, covering about 90% of the population.

NASA's contract with SpaceX aims to prevent this. SpaceX will develop a deorbit vehicle to guide the ISS through a controlled descent. Initially, the ISS will lower its orbit from 260 miles to at least 205 miles using natural drag and possibly its own engines. About a year before reentry, SpaceX's vehicle will dock with the ISS while it is still inhabited.

During this year, the ISS will descend further until it reaches an altitude where it would fall uncontrollably within a month. The deorbit vehicle will then stabilize the ISS to prevent a catastrophe. Finally, the deorbit vehicle will execute a prolonged engine burn to push the ISS through the densest part of the atmosphere, ensuring debris falls into the remote southern Pacific Ocean. SpaceX's system is designed to handle this even if two component failures occur.³

The Future Beyond the ISS

The legacy of the ISS will continue to inspire future space exploration. As the station is decommissioned, the focus shifts to new projects, including commercial space stations. These initiatives will build on the ISS's foundation, fostering innovation and international collaboration. For example one is axiom space’s space station.

Axiom Space Station - Axiom Space

Stay tuned for more updates on space exploration and innovations.

1. International Space Station - NASA

https://www.nasa.gov/international-space-station/

2. International Space Station - Space.com

https://www.space.com/16748-international-space-station.html

3. SpaceX wins NASA Contract to Destroy the International Space Station - Scientific American

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/spacex-wins-nasa-contract-to-destroy-the-international-space-station/#:~:text=The%20ISS%20is%20aging%2C%20and,statement%20released%20on%20June%2026.