NASA Seeks Options on International Space Station Deorbiting Capabilities
NASA has issued a request for information (RFI) from industry on how to safely deorbit the massive International Space Station (ISS) when the facility is decommissioned.
“The deorbit vehicle shall attach (via docking or berthing) to the ISS at least one (1) year prior to the planned ISS reentry date to enable adequate time for on-orbit tests and checkouts…Although nominal ISS EOL is late 2030, the Government requires that this deorbit capability be available as soon as possible to protect for contingencies that could drive early re-entry and beyond 2030 in the event of further ISS mission extensions,” the space agency said in the document.
NASA wants feedback from industry by Sept. 9. The space agency will use the feedback to formulate a request for proposal to solicit bids from industry.
3 responses to “NASA Seeks Options on International Space Station Deorbiting Capabilities”
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It seems to me that a deorbit capability should be a relatively high thrust affair. Say 1 m/s if the structure could handle it. For something as massive as the ISS, tiny increments and modeling seems liable to variations in drag that increase uncertainty. Possibly test the thruster while lowering to the final orbit. Then 15-20 minutes thrust to drop it in the ocean far from land such that a miscalculation doesn’t get expensive or dangerous. I’m suggesting a lot of propellant might be preferable to uncertainty.
Electric high Isp and tether solutions seem more elegant not to mention less massive. Would they increase uncertainty as I suspect, or am I concerned about nothing?
I’d rather it be boosted higher
Long past time. Good riddance when it is finally gone.
They should evacuate it and just do it now.