Your browser does not support JavaScript!

NASA's Planned Decommissioning of the International Space Station by 2030

GOOVER DAILY REPORT August 19, 2024
goover

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Summary
  2. Introduction to NASA's Decommissioning Plan
  3. Rationale Behind Decommissioning the ISS
  4. SpaceX's Role in the Deorbit Process
  5. Future of Scientific Research Post-ISS
  6. Conclusion

1. Summary

  • The report outlines NASA's strategic plan to decommission the International Space Station (ISS) by 2030, emphasizing the transition to commercial space stations. Key points include the historical contributions of the ISS, reasons for its decommissioning such as aging infrastructure and orbital debris risks, and the partnership with SpaceX to develop a controlled deorbit vehicle. Additionally, the report delves into the future landscape of low Earth orbit research, with commercial entities like Axiom Station and Orbital Reef set to take over the ISS's research and exploration duties. The document provides a detailed look at the technical challenges, operational plans, and implications of these transitions for future space exploration and scientific research continuity.

2. Introduction to NASA's Decommissioning Plan

  • 2-1. Planned timeline for the ISS decommissioning

  • The International Space Station (ISS) will be decommissioned starting in 2030. NASA has confirmed that the decommissioning process will commence in that year, ensuring the controlled return of the ISS to Earth. The timeline has been established in alignment with the advancing age and technical issues of the ISS, marking a significant shift in space research methodology.

  • 2-2. NASA's contract with SpaceX for deorbit vehicle development

  • NASA has selected SpaceX to design and develop a vehicle to safely take the ISS out of orbit at the end of its mission in 2030. SpaceX has been awarded an $843 million contract for this purpose. The decision to partner with SpaceX followed various considerations, including the disassembly and return of the station to Earth, boosting it to a higher orbit, and managing an uncontrolled fall to Earth. NASA concluded that a controlled re-entry facilitated by SpaceX's technology would be the most viable solution.

3. Rationale Behind Decommissioning the ISS

  • 3-1. Technical Failures and Aging of the ISS

  • The ISS has been operational since 2000, and over its two decades of use, it has facilitated more than 3,300 experiments. However, the station is now showing significant signs of aging, such as technical faults and leaks. These issues pose increasing challenges to the crews on board and impact the overall functionality of the station. The persistent technical problems serve as one of the primary motivations behind NASA's decision to decommission the ISS.

  • 3-2. Risks Associated with Orbital Debris

  • The ISS is becoming increasingly vulnerable to space junk — debris from defunct satellites that orbit Earth at high speeds. An incident on June 27 forced nine astronauts to take shelter in the docked Boeing Starliner crew capsule due to the threat posed by hundreds of pieces of debris from a shattered Russian satellite. Such events underscore the growing risks posed by orbital debris, further justifying the decision to decommission the ISS.

  • 3-3. End of International Funding and Agreements

  • The ISS operates under agreements and contracts between five participating national space agencies, which came into effect as part of global cooperation in space. However, these agreements are set to end by 2030. The end of international funding and partnerships means there's no financial and operational support for the ISS beyond this point, making its decommissioning inevitable.

4. SpaceX's Role in the Deorbit Process

  • 4-1. Details on the $843 Million Contract

  • The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) awarded SpaceX a contract worth $843 million to develop a deorbit vehicle for the International Space Station (ISS). This contract marks a significant partnership between NASA and SpaceX, aimed at safely decommissioning the ISS by 2030.

  • 4-2. Technical Challenges and Operational Plans

  • The operation involves numerous technical challenges. The ISS, which has been in orbit since 1998, is showing signs of age and requires a careful strategy to ensure its controlled re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere. The structure, as large as a football field with nearly 1 million pounds (430,000 kilograms) in mass, must be safely burned up upon re-entry with any remaining fragments ideally plunging into the ocean by early 2031.

  • 4-3. Expected Timeline and Safety Measures for the Re-entry

  • NASA and SpaceX have planned for the deorbit process to commence in 2030 with the intention of completing it by early 2031. Safety measures are being prioritized in the operational plans to mitigate any risk during re-entry. NASA rejected other alternatives such as disassembling the station or transferring ownership to another entity, focusing instead on a plan that ensures a controlled deorbit and minimal risk to both the crew and the Earth’s surface.

5. Future of Scientific Research Post-ISS

  • 5-1. Commercial Space Stations: Axiom Station and Orbital Reef

  • The transition from the ISS to commercial space stations involves major players like Axiom Space and Blue Origin's Orbital Reef. These stations are expected to take over the research and exploration activities from the ISS. Axiom Station and Orbital Reef are both set for launch by the end of this decade. These new platforms are designed to continue the legacy of the ISS by supporting a wide range of scientific research and technological advancements in low Earth orbit.

  • 5-2. NASA's Strategic Transition to Commercial Partnerships

  • NASA has strategically decided to transition its focus from government-led initiatives to commercial partnerships. This shift aims to leverage the capabilities and innovations of private companies to maintain and advance scientific research in space. According to Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s commercial crew program, the ISS will continue its operations until the new commercial space stations are fully operational and ready to take over its mission.

  • 5-3. Continuous Research Goals in Low Earth Orbit

  • Since its inception, the ISS has been a hub for scientific research, with more than 3,300 experiments conducted since 2000. As the ISS nears the end of its operational life, NASA's goal is to ensure that there is no disruption in scientific research. The transition to commercial space stations aims to maintain the continuity of research in low Earth orbit, using the lessons learned from the ISS to inform and improve future operations.

6. Conclusion

  • NASA's decision to retire the International Space Station (ISS) by 2030 is driven by advancing age and technical issues, requiring a strategic decommissioning process. SpaceX has been entrusted with an $843 million contract to develop a deorbit vehicle, underscoring the importance of a controlled re-entry to mitigate risks. This move marks a significant shift from government-led space initiatives to commercial partnerships, with Axiom Station and Orbital Reef preparing to maintain the continuity of scientific research in low Earth orbit. Despite the technical challenges and the need for precise timing and safety measures during decommissioning, the shift heralds a new era in space exploration. These changes highlight the evolving methodology from a predominantly government-driven approach to leveraging private sector innovations and capabilities. The continued focus on low Earth orbit research through commercial stations ensures that the legacy of the ISS will endure, fostering ongoing advancements in space science.

7. Glossary

  • 7-1. NASA [Organization]

  • NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, is the U.S. government agency responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research. It manages the ISS and oversees its decommissioning process.

  • 7-2. SpaceX [Company]

  • SpaceX, an American aerospace manufacturer and space transport company founded by Elon Musk, has been contracted by NASA to develop and implement the deorbit vehicle meant to safely bring the ISS back to Earth in 2030.

  • 7-3. International Space Station (ISS) [Space Station]

  • The ISS is a habitable artificial satellite in low Earth orbit. It has been instrumental in conducting over 3,300 experiments since 2000. Due to age and technical issues, it is set to be decommissioned by 2030.

  • 7-4. Axiom Station [Commercial Space Station]

  • A commercial space station developed by Axiom Space, intended to replace the ISS and continue scientific research in low Earth orbit post-2030.

  • 7-5. Orbital Reef [Commercial Space Station]

  • A commercial space station being developed by Blue Origin and Sierra Space, aimed at providing facilities for research and commercial activities in low Earth orbit once the ISS is decommissioned.

  • 7-6. Steve Stich [Person]

  • Manager of NASA's commercial crew program at Johnson Space Center. He has provided insights into the phasing out of the ISS and the transition to commercial space stations.

8. Source Documents