SpaceX Unveils Design for ISS Deorbit Vehicle Using Dragon Heritage Hardware

NASA's decision to entrust SpaceX with constructing the ISS deorbit vehicle marks a significant milestone in space technology. SpaceX recently revealed a rendering of the car based on its Dragon spacecraft, which features an extended trunk filled with thrusters.

NASA Selects SpaceX for ISS Deorbit Vehicle Construction, Unveiling Dragon-Based Design

NASA's groundbreaking decision to entrust SpaceX with the vehicle construction responsible for deorbiting the International Space Station in the 2030s heralds a new era in space technology. The car, constructed using Dragon heritage hardware, is not just based on it but is essentially a long Dragon, as demonstrated in a recent rendering by SpaceX.

In a render released last week in conjunction with a press conference, SpaceX unveiled its ISS deorbit vehicle. The Dragon spacecraft, with an extended trunk filled with thrusters, boasts spacious cargo that can accommodate a frenzy of Draco thrusters, as SpaceX announced during the press conference. This design ensures thorough planning and execution of the mission.

The enhanced Dragon trunk will be twice as long as a standard trunk section and contain six times the fuel. After the final crew departs the station, NASA will passively permit the station's orbit to decay for approximately six months. The thrusters that protrude from the back of the station will be responsible for most of the deorbiting. The station's orbit will be reduced to 330 km before the final crew departs; the current orbit is approximately 400 km.

The Dragon 2 cargo spacecraft appears to be the front portion of the deorbit vehicle. Although the vehicle's ability to detach, effectively reenter, and splash down in the ocean, as with other Dragons, still needs to be addressed, it could be advantageous to possess this capability.

NASA to Independently Operate SpaceX’s ISS Deorbit Vehicle, Seeks Separate Launch Solution

In contrast to the current commercial services contracts, NASA will acquire SpaceX's deorbit vehicle outright and operate it independently. According to Space Explored, the agency will also develop a launch vehicle separately, as the Falcon 9 rocket cannot launch the deorbit vehicle due to its increased weight.

SpaceX stated that it would be delighted to launch it if chosen, but it did not indicate the type of rocket it would propose. The Falcon Heavy is the most logical option, given its similarities to the Falcon 9. However, this would result in an unusual photograph, as the Dragon could never fly on the Falcon Heavy otherwise. Nevertheless, it would not be unreasonable to propose Starship.

NASA intends to secure the transportation to space for its deorbit vehicle by three years before launch.