Produced by: Tarun Mishra
NASA has revealed a $1 billion plan to deorbit the International Space Station (ISS) by 2030. The plan involves a SpaceX-operated space tug to bring the ISS safely back to Earth, where it will burn up in the atmosphere, with remaining debris expected to land in a remote oceanic region.
From 2026, the ISS will slowly descend from its current orbit of 250 miles above Earth to 200 miles. The final human crew will leave the station before the descent progresses further, removing historically significant items before departure.
Once the ISS descends to 175 miles, a modified SpaceX Dragon capsule will dock with the station to guide it into an elliptical orbit. The capsule will act as a space tug, tasked with performing a series of maneuvers to lower the ISS gradually.
When the ISS reaches a critical point at 175 miles, the space tug will deliver a final push to bring the station into a reentry trajectory. The ISS and the tug will hit Earth's atmosphere at a speed of 17,000 mph, where most of the station will disintegrate.
NASA plans for remaining debris, expected to be 40-100 tonnes, to fall near Point Nemo, a remote region of the Pacific Ocean used as a "spacecraft graveyard." This location is chosen to minimize risk, as it is the farthest point from inhabited land.
After 24 years of operation, the ISS is showing signs of deterioration. Many systems and hardware are past their operational lifespan, and increasing issues, such as structural leaks, are adding to concerns about keeping the station in orbit.
NASA has shifted its focus to new space initiatives, including the Lunar Gateway project, marking the end of the ISS's usefulness. The space agency plans to redirect funding and resources toward missions aimed at exploring the Moon and Mars.
The ISS has been a vital learning platform for long-term space operations. Experts view the lessons from its maintenance and research as foundational for future missions, particularly as NASA transitions its human spaceflight focus toward more ambitious targets.