Archive · 13 Jun 2025
Elon Musk Recommends ISS Deorbit in Two Years
The International Space Station (ISS) is like a big space house where astronauts live.
Elon Musk, the boss of SpaceX, thinks it should be taken down in the next two years.
He's worried it's getting old and might have problems.
NASA, another space organization, plans to bring it down in 2031, but Musk wants it sooner.
The ISS has been up in space since 1998.
SpaceX is building a special vehicle to help safely bring the ISS back to Earth, like a controlled crash into the ocean.
Musk wants to focus on going to Mars instead.
Elon Musk recommends deorbiting the International Space Station (ISS) within two years.
NASA plans to deorbit the ISS in 2031, with a deorbit vehicle expected by 2028.
The ISS has been operational since 1998 and has continuously hosted astronaut crews since 2000.
Musk cites safety concerns due to the aging structure of the ISS, referencing potential leaks and structural integrity issues.
SpaceX has a contract to develop the US Deorbit Vehicle (USDV), based on the Dragon spacecraft, to guide the ISS to a controlled deorbit.
- Who
- Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO, and NASA.
- What
- Elon Musk recommended deorbiting the International Space Station within two years.
- When
- Elon Musk recommended deorbiting the ISS on June 13
- Where
- The International Space Station (ISS) is in Earth's orbit. The controlled deorbit will be over the South Pacific.
- Why
- Musk cited safety concerns about the ISS's aging structure and the potential for leaks.
Elon Musk's Perspective
NASA's Perspective
Deorbit Timeline
Elon Musk's Perspective
Rapid deorbiting of ISS due to structural integrity concerns, age, and focus on Mars exploration.
NASA's Perspective
Planned deorbit in 2031 by NASA.
- ISS Operational Since
- 1998
- Continuous Astronaut Presence
- Since November 2000
- NASA Deorbit Plan
- 2031
- USDV Contract to SpaceX
- $843 million
- USDV Launch Date
- 2028 (expected)