NASA is seeking designs for a $1 billion space tug to safely crash the International Space Station back to Earth. The station’s deorbit is a shared responsibility among five space agencies, including NASA. Previous options, such as using Roscosmos Progress spacecraft, have indicated the need for a new or modified spacecraft. NASA is engaging with US industry to procure a spacecraft that will perform the final deorbit maneuver. Proposals are due by November 17. The primary objective is the responsible re-entry of the space station to avoid populated areas on Earth.
NASA Seeks “Space Tug” Ideas To Crash Space Station Back To Earth
NASA is asking US companies to design a $1 billion space tug to crash the International Space Station back to Earth in a controlled manner. The station’s safe deorbit is the shared responsibility of the five space agencies that have operated it since 1998. Previous options have indicated the need for a new or modified spacecraft to provide more robust capabilities for deorbit. NASA is engaging with US industry to procure a spacecraft that will perform the final, safe, deorbit maneuver of the space station.
Designing a $1 Billion Space Tug
NASA is seeking designs from US companies to create a space tug with the capability to crash the International Space Station back to Earth. The station’s deorbit is a joint effort among the five space agencies responsible for its operation. Previous studies have shown the need for a new or modified spacecraft to ensure a controlled and safe deorbit. NASA is actively working with US industry to acquire a spacecraft that can perform the critical deorbit burn and safely bring the space station back to Earth.
Ensuring Safe Deorbit of the Space Station
The responsibility of safely deorbiting the International Space Station lies with the five space agencies involved in its operation. NASA has explored various options, including the use of Roscosmos Progress spacecraft, but determined that a new or modified spacecraft is necessary. The spacecraft, also known as the US Deorbit Vehicle (USDV), will be designed to perform the final deorbit maneuver and must have sufficient redundancy and anomaly recovery capability. NASA is currently accepting proposals from US companies to design this spacecraft, with a focus on the responsible re-entry of the space station to avoid populated areas on Earth.
