NASA Posts RFI for Space Station Deorbit Spacecraft Development

NASA expects the International Space Station to conclude operations in late 2030 and is seeking information from potential industry sources of spacecraft that will work to deorbit the government-funded laboratory.

A request for information posted Friday on SAM.gov says the deorbit vehicle should attach to the Node 2 Forward port one year before the controlled reentry of ISS into an unpopulated region.

The agency intends for the craft to facilitate on-orbit tests and checkouts and attitude control and maintenance work.

According to the notice, ISS altitude will lower naturally via atmospheric drag or Russian propulsive control, descending at approximately 270 kilometers until the deorbit vehicle is used to perform final deorbit burn sequences.

Responses to the RFI are due Sept. 9.

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