SpaceX has won a contract to help destroy NASA's International Space Station - and it's set to take place sooner than you'd think.
Built in 1998, the ISS was created in collaboration with NASA, Roscosmos (Russia), ESA (Europe), JAXA (Japan), and CSA (Canada).
It's since allowed scientists to conduct experiments that can't be done anywhere else, orbiting about 250 miles above the Earth.
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The US space agency described the ISS as 'an unprecedented achievement in global human endeavors to build and utilize a research platform in space.'
But it wasn't built to last forever, with its operational life set to end in 2030.
NASA will let the ISS slowly get closer to Earth 18 months after operations end on board.
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Then, a spacecraft will latch on to the ISS and use its thrusters to propel the space station towards Earth. And it's Elon Musk's SpaceX which has secured the $843,000,000 contract to do the honors.
A modified version of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, the vehicle will have six times the propellant and four times the thruster power of a standard Dragon.
As the ISS moves through the Earth's atmosphere, the station will largely break in to pieces and burn up.
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But the larger modules of the space station will make it through the atmosphere and land in a final splash spot, the location of which NASA is yet to publicly confirm.
Ken Bowersox, associate administrator for Space Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, said: “Selecting a U.S. Deorbit Vehicle for the International Space Station will help NASA and its international partners ensure a safe and responsible transition in low Earth orbit at the end of station operations.
"This decision also supports NASA’s plans for future commercial destinations and allows for the continued use of space near Earth.
“The orbital laboratory remains a blueprint for science, exploration, and partnerships in space for the benefit of all.”
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Some nine space stations will allow research projects like the ones carried out on the ISS to continue, including China's Tiangong space station which has been in orbit since 2021.
Elsewhere, SpaceX has secured a number of NASA contracts over the years.
Most recently, the company landed a $256 million deal to launch NASA's Dragonfly mission to explore Saturn's largest moon, Titan.
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A Falcon Heavy rocket will launch the space agency's Dragonfly rotorcraft from Kennedy Space Center, Florida between July 5 and July 25 2028.
The journey to Titan takes six years, meaning the spacecraft won't be landing until 2034. Something to look forward to, though!
Topics: Space, Science, Technology, NASA, Space X
Ellie Kemp