SpaceX has been selected by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) to de-orbit the International Space Station (ISS) by the end of its lifespan in 2030, in a contract valued at $843 million. SpaceX will develop an enhanced variant of its Dragon spacecraft to decommission the ISS, referred to as the U.S. Decommission Vehicle (USDV), to de-orbit the ISS over a remote area of the Pacific Ocean to minimize risk over populated areas. The decommissioning of the ISS will take place throughout several stages: 1- Lowering the ISS orbit: ISS program manager NASA's Dana Weigel, states that the final Astronauts will leave the ISS six months prior to final re-entry, as the ISS is 220km above the Earth. 2- Atmospheric Reentry: Upon re-entry, the heat of Earth's atmosphere will lead the ISS' modules, and structures to heat up, and lead to structural collapse, some fragments might continue to break down, upon falling through the atmosphere. 3- Geographic Impact: The overall structure of the ISS will vaporize in the atmosphere, while some heat resistant components might survive. NASA, and SpaceX plans to de-orbit the ISS at Point Nemo, a remote part of the Pacific Ocean known for de-orbiting spacecrafts, and other space structures, to minimize risk of damage, or injury, in populated areas. “The orbital laboratory remains a blueprint for science, exploration, and partnerships in space for the benefit of all.” Stated Ken Bowersox, associate administrator for Space Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. A short history of the International Space Station Structure and Functionality The ISS orbits Earth at an average altitude of approximately 400 kilometers (248 miles) and travels at a speed of about 28,000 kilometers per hour (17,500 miles per hour). It consists of multiple modules, including laboratories, living quarters, and docking stations, assembled in orbit. The station is about the size of a football field, making it one of the largest human-made structures in space. Scientific Significance The ISS serves as a unique microgravity and space environment research laboratory where scientific research is conducted in astrobiology, astronomy, meteorology, physics, and other fields. The absence of gravity allows scientists to conduct experiments that would be impossible on Earth, leading to advancements in technology, medicine, and our understanding of fundamental sciences. International Collaboration The ISS has brought together governmental collaborations, joint-ventures, and broadened private, and public partnerships within the Space Industry, and has allowed the emergence of new key players in the Space Industry. This initiative has allowed the exploration, and sharing of expertise, discoveries, and technologies to work on a common goal across nations that are the top key players regulating, and innovating Space Policy. Human Spaceflight The ISS has been continuously occupied since November 2000, making it a key platform for long-duration human spaceflight. Astronauts and cosmonauts from around the world live and work on the ISS for months at a time, conducting experiments and maintaining the station. This experience is critical for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.