Elon Musk will destroy the ISS. And NASA will pay him for it.

SpaceX receives a contract from NASA to build a spacecraft for removing the ISS from Earth's orbit

Elon Musk's company SpaceX has received a contract from NASA to build a spacecraft that will in the future remove the International Space Station (ISS) from Earth's orbit. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to NASA's press service.

The total potential cost of the one-Time contract is $843 million. The service of launching the American deorbiting spacecraft will be a future purchase. The destruction of the ISS is scheduled for 2030, when the station's service life ends.

In particular, $843 million is not the only expense in the future operation. Before the ISS is moved from orbit (the station flies at 400 km above sea level), all important equipment and crew will need to be removed from it.

«The selection of an American vehicle for deorbiting the ISS will help NASA and its international partners ensure a safe and responsible transition from low Earth orbit after the station's service life ends», – said NASA Headquarters' Deputy Associate Administrator for Space Operations Ken Bowersox.