SpaceX Unveils Powerful Dragon Variant for ISS Deorbit Mission

The new spacecraft will play a critical role in safely bringing down the International Space Station by 2030.

• The Dragon variant will feature 46 Draco thrusters, significantly more than the standard 16 on Cargo Dragon missions.
• NASA awarded SpaceX an $843 million contract to develop the deorbit vehicle.
• The ISS will gradually descend for 12 to 18 months before the final deorbit burn.
• NASA is considering preserving small artifacts from the ISS for future museum displays.
• The deorbit vehicle will ensure a controlled reentry, targeting debris to fall in a remote area of the south Pacific Ocean.

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