NASA faces $1 billion task to safely retire International Space Station

NASA is tackling the goal of decommissioning the International Space Station (ISS) by the early 2030s, at an estimated cost of nearly $1 billion. The plan involves carefully disposing of the ISS to ensure it harmlessly burns up in the Earth's atmosphere.

There are two main options for de-orbiting the ISS: allowing it to plummet uncontrollably or orchestrating a more controlled descent using a specialized spacecraft.

In the first case, there is a risk of space station debris falling on populated areas of the Earth, which could lead to loss of life and material damage. To minimize this risk, NASA needs to solve the complex problem of controlling the ISS during its descent. This requires the development of a special powerful vehicle capable of assisting the station during its descent, a challenging task given the irregularity and unpredictability of the Earth's protective atmosphere.

The ISS has been a symbol of international unity and scientific achievement, making its decommissioning a bittersweet moment in space exploration. Despite the challenges, NASA aims to ensure a controlled and safe end to the ISS's remarkable journey.