NASA Provides Background on Space Station Deorbit Planning (July 17, 2024)

As the agency fosters new commercial space stations, leadership from NASA and SpaceX participated in a media teleconference at 2 p.m. EDT Wednesday, July 17, to discuss the company’s selection to develop and deliver the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle, which will safely move the International Space Station out of orbit and into a remote area of an ocean at the end of its operations. As the agency transitions to commercially owned space destinations, it is crucial to prepare for the safe and responsible deorbit of the space station in a controlled manner after the end of its operational life in 2030.

Participants include:
Ken Bowersox, associate administrator, NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate
Dana Weigel, manager, NASA’s International Space Station Program
Sarah Walker, director, Dragon mission management, SpaceX