The International Space Station (ISS), a symbol of international collaboration in space exploration, is nearing its end. In 2030, the ISS will be deorbited, and Elon Musk’s SpaceX will be responsible for its final moments. NASA awarded SpaceX an $843 million contract to build a “U.S. Deorbit Vehicle,” which will safely push the ISS into the Earth’s atmosphere, where it will burn up.
This isn’t the end of space stations, however. SpaceX is also playing a key role in building the next generation of space stations, with multiple companies planning to launch their own orbiting outposts. SpaceX is contracted to launch the “Starlab” space station, built by a consortium including Northrop Grumman and Airbus. The company also has a long-standing partnership with Axiom Space, which plans to launch its own space station in 2026.
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SpaceX’s involvement in both the demolition and construction of space stations makes it a significant player in the future of space exploration. While SpaceX is privately held, its work is boosting the value of publicly traded companies like Airbus, which is involved in the Starlab project.