The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) is all set to dismantle the International Space Station (ISS), with the deorbit process scheduled to take place in 2030.
Additionally, in its last 12 to 18 months, the space station will transition from its current orbit, approximately 250 miles above Earth, to a lower orbit of around 136 miles.
Astronauts carry a lot of importance in this process. According to Nasa’s ISS program manager, Dana Weigel, astronauts remain on board to support the station until six months before its planned deorbit.
“We’ll leave the crew on board as long as possible, so they’re available to help maintain the station and keep it healthy,” Weigel said.
Moreover, SpaceX has played an active role in bringing down the ISS. The Elon Musk-led company has received an $843 million contract from Nasa to look after the ISS’s controlled descent.
The space agency will use a special spacecraft based on their Dragon model. It will ensure that the ISS’s debris lands in the ocean rather than in populated areas.
On the contrary, Axiom Space is also an integral part of the plan to bring down the ISS.
It will start in 2026 and will launch four new parts to attach to the ISS. Prior to the end of the ISS, Axiom will be turned into a new private space station.
