How NASA and SpaceX will bring down the space station when it’s retired

This image provided by SpaceX shows an artistic rendering of the powerful capsule that will be used, once developed, to bring the International Space Station down through the atmosphere in January 2031. NASA and Elon Musk's company on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, outlined the plan to burn the space station up on reentry and plunge what's left into the ocean, ideally at the beginning of 2031 when it hits the 32-year mark. (SpaceX via AP)

By MARCIA DUNN / Associated Press July 18, 2024 5 min read

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — SpaceX will use a powerful, souped-up capsule to shove the International Space Station out of orbit once time is up for the sprawling lab.

NASA and Elon Musk’s company on Wednesday outlined the plan to burn the space station up on reentry and plunge what’s left into the ocean, ideally at the beginning of 2031 when it hits the 32-year mark. The space agency rejected other options, like taking the station apart and bringing everything home or handing the keys to someone else.

NASA gave SpaceX a $843 million contract to bring down the station — the biggest structure ever built off the planet.

Here’s a rundown on the work and challenges ahead:

Why get rid of the space station?