ISS in earth orbit, closer view
The International Space Station is 250 miles above the Earth (Picture: Getty)

Nasa is paying SpaceX a lot of money to crash the International Space Station (ISS).

And no, this isn’t the beginning of Elon Musk’s supervillain arc. 

The American space agency has asked SpaceX to develop a vehicle that will lead the US sections of the ISS to its death when its time is up. 

To help create the aptly named ‘US Deorbit Vehicle’, Nasa has awarded SpaceX $843 million (£650m) – but that funding does not include any launch costs and is for vehicle development only, so the whole operation may end up costing a lot more.

Nasa spokesman Ken Bowersox said: ‘Selecting a US 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.’

The space agency previously said the ISS will end its operational life in 2030. 

The ISS, which is around the size of an American football pitch, is led mostly by the US and Russia, and has continuously had people on board since 2000, after launching in 1998.

Unfortunately, the space station has ageing components which means it is heading towards its twilight years. 

The US, Japan, Canada and other countries under the European Space Agency have committed to their partnership until 2030, and Russia has agreed to remain a partner of the ISS until 2028. 

Space debris resting in Point Nemo today

  • The Soviet era Mir space station
  • Four Japanese HTV cargo craft
  • Six Russian Salyut space stations 
  • 145 Russian Progress autonomous resupply ships
  • Five European Space Agency Automated Transfer Vehicles

Orbiting 250 miles above the Earth, the ISS has been a symbol of unity across nations surviving geopolitical issues on Earth. The station is a platform that allows a unique way for crew members to conduct experiments across areas such as space science, biology, human physiology and physical sciences. 

Although space debris tends to burn up on re-entry to Earth, Nasa is aware that not all of the ISS will not burn up, given its size, and so far the plan is to send it to a watery grave in the Pacific Ocean.

The spot, Point Nemo, where it is expected to crash is also known as ‘the space cemetery’, as it is often targeted for controlled descents of space junk.

But rogue space junk is becoming an increasing issue which has been highlighted just recently, when debris fell through a Florida’s man home and narrowly missed his son. 

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