NASA Taps Elon Musk’s SpaceX to Bring International Space Station out of Orbit in a Few More Years

The International Space Station from the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour during a fly around of the orbiting lab that took place following its undocking from the Harmony module’s space-facing port, on Nov. 8, 2021. NASA via AP

WASHINGTON—NASA has awarded SpaceX an $843 million contract to build the vehicle that will bring the International Space Station out of its longtime orbit of Earth when its operating lifespan ends in a few more years.

SpaceX, a privately held company controlled by technology mogul Elon Musk, will build the vehicle that will bring down the space station, but NASA will still oversee the eventual mission.