Over the past decade, SpaceX has emerged as a leader in space exploration. Now, the aerospace giant is set to spend $680 million to deorbit the International Space Station (ISS), as revealed by NASA documents published on Tuesday.
NASA had announced its intention to bring down the ISS back in 2022 but only selected Elon Musk’s SpaceX as the contractor last month. SpaceX will create a new vehicle, described as a “tug boat,” to push the station into the Pacific Ocean. SpaceX has been awarded an $843 million contract for this mission.
SpaceX, based in Hawthorne, California, was chosen over Northrop Grumman Systems and AlphaSpaces. AlphaSpaces’s proposal was deemed “unacceptable” and removed from consideration.
In terms of “mission suitability,” which evaluates small business utilization, management approach, and technical approach, SpaceX scored 822 out of 1,000. The proposal earned five strengths, three significant strengths, and one weakness.
Northrop received a score of 589 out of 1,000, with three strengths and seven weaknesses. The company’s approach was incomplete in several areas, including hardware procurement. Northrop’s proposal also had a higher cost, significantly above SpaceX’s $680 million estimate. Additionally, SpaceX’s past performance was rated “very high,” compared to Northrop’s “moderate.”
The ISS, which has been orbiting Earth since 1998, has hosted over 250 visitors from 20 countries since its first crew arrived in November 2000. Currently, it accommodates crews from SpaceX, Soyuz, and Boeing.
Extended several times over the years, the ISS’s operational life is deemed risky to continue beyond 2030. Its orbit will naturally decay starting in 2026, aiming for deorbiting by mid-2030.
Ken Bowersox, an associate administrator for NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate, stated, “Selecting a U.S. Deorbit Vehicle for the International Space Station will help NASA and its international partners ensure a safe and responsible transition in low Earth orbit at the end of station operations. This decision also supports NASA’s plans for future commercial destinations and allows for the continued use of space near Earth.”