NASA Plans Billion-Dollar Spacecraft To Crash International Space Station Into Pacific Ocean
NASA plans to safely crash the International Space Station (ISS) in a controlled manner by early 2031.
A new spacecraft is being designed to guide the ISS to controlled destruction when it reaches the end of its life.
The ISS has been in orbit since 1998 and fully functional since 2000, hosting various crews.
Over 3,000 scientific research investigations have taken place in the ISS's microgravity laboratory.
NASA has set aside $180 million to develop a new space tug capable of safely bringing down the ISS into the open ocean.
The current plan for the ISS's safe takedown relies upon engine burns by robotic Progress cargo vehicles provided by Russia.
The ISS is expected to be broken up into three stages during atmospheric re-entry.
The gradual lowering of the ISS's operational altitude by mission controllers will begin scheduling retrograde maneuvers.
NASA intends to send a spacecraft to guide the ISS to controlled destruction, avoiding harm to the surrounding landscape.
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