In an ambitious collaboration between NASA and SpaceX, a plan has been set in motion to safely deorbit the International Space Station (ISS) by the end of the decade, marking the end of its more than 30-year tenure in earth's lower orbit. This significant and complex transition involves utilizing approximately 450 tonnes of the ISS mass in a controlled disposal maneuver.

The decision to deorbit the ISS comes after years of scientific research, international collaboration, and technological advancements made possible by the orbiting laboratory. Since its launch in 1998, the ISS has been a cornerstone for international space research, involving five participating space agencies: NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXO (Japan), ESA (Europe), and CSA (Canada), along with contributions from other countries.

SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, has been a significant player in this new era of space exploration, primarily focusing on reducing space travel costs and enhancing efficiency with its innovative spacecraft and rocket designs. By partnering with NASA for this complex end-of-life procedure for the ISS, SpaceX will employ its advanced technology and expertise in space logistics.

Deorbiting the ISS, a structure spanning the size of a football field and one of the most significant human-made structures in space, poses intricate challenges. The space station orbits the Earth at an average altitude of approximately 420 kilometers (about 261 miles) and travels at an immense speed of 28,000 kilometers per hour (17,500 miles per feedback). To safely deorbit it, the strategy involves gradual descent initiation maneuvers that effectively lower its orbit until it enters the Earth's atmosphere, where most of it will burn up, with remnants falling into a remote part of the Pacific Ocean, commonly known as the "spacecraft cemetery."

The collaborative effort for the decommissioning of the ISS will not only ensure the safe and controlled disposal of such a massive object but also signify a thoughtful and responsible approach to space exploration. The engagement of SpaceX marks a milestone, as it shows the growing role of commercial spaceflight companies in supporting and complementing government-led space missions.