SpaceX Unveils Development Plans for US Deorbit Vehicle

SpaceX will build a new Dragon spacecraft version designed to deorbit the International Space Station once the laboratory reaches the end of its life in 2031.

Speaking at a recent briefing, Sarah Walker, director of Dragon mission management at SpaceX, said the spacecraft will be an improved version of the existing Dragon vehicle, featuring a larger trunk section with 46 Draco thrusters for attitude control and maneuvers.

The enhanced spacecraft, which will serve as the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle, will be developed for NASA under an $843 million contract awarded to the company in June, SpaceNews reported.

The USDV will carry six times more propellant and generate and store at least three times more power than the current Dragon spacecraft.

NASA plans to procure a heavier-class rocket rather than deploy the spacecraft on a Falcon 9 vehicle since the USDV is expected to weigh over 30,000 kilograms.

Dana Weigel, NASA ISS program manager, noted, however, that the space agency is open to having SpaceX as the launch provider.