# United States Deorbit Vehicle > proposed spacecraft to be used as the deorbit vehicle for the International Space Station **Wikidata**: [Q126953049](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q126953049) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Deorbit_Vehicle) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/united-states-deorbit-vehicle ## Summary The United States Deorbit Vehicle (USDV) is a proposed spacecraft designed to safely deorbit the International Space Station at the end of its operational life. NASA selected SpaceX to develop the USDV in June 2024 under a $843 million contract. The vehicle will be based on SpaceX's Dragon 2 spacecraft and is scheduled for use when the ISS is decommissioned. ## Key Facts - NASA awarded SpaceX a $843 million contract on June 26, 2024 to develop the USDV - The USDV is based on SpaceX's Dragon 2 reusable spacecraft - The vehicle's primary purpose is to deorbit the International Space Station - The contract was announced by NASA on June 26, 2024 - The USDV is also known as the ISS Deorbit Vehicle and International Space Station US Deorbit Vehicle - NASA will operate the USDV once operational - The spacecraft is classified as both a spacecraft and a proposed entity - The USDV has aliases including U.S. Deorbit Vehicle, USDV, and ISS Deorbit Vehicle ### Q: What is the United States Deorbit Vehicle? A: The United States Deorbit Vehicle is a proposed spacecraft being developed by SpaceX for NASA to safely deorbit the International Space Station at the end of its operational life. It's based on the Dragon 2 spacecraft and will be used to guide the ISS into a controlled re-entry over the ocean. ### Q: How much did NASA pay SpaceX to develop the USDV? A: NASA awarded SpaceX an $843 million contract on June 26, 2024 to develop the United States Deorbit Vehicle. This contract covers the design, development, and eventual operation of the spacecraft. ### Q: When will the USDV be used? A: The USDV will be used when the International Space Station reaches the end of its operational life, though a specific date hasn't been announced. The spacecraft is currently in development following NASA's contract award to SpaceX in June 2024. ## Why It Matters The United States Deorbit Vehicle represents a critical solution to one of space exploration's most challenging problems: how to safely decommission large orbital structures. As the International Space Station approaches the end of its operational life, the USDV will ensure a controlled deorbit rather than leaving the massive structure to potentially fall uncontrolled back to Earth. This mission is essential for space safety and environmental protection, as it will guide the ISS into a targeted re-entry over the ocean, minimizing risk to populated areas. The USDV also demonstrates NASA's forward-thinking approach to space sustainability, establishing protocols for responsibly managing space infrastructure throughout its entire lifecycle. By contracting this specialized spacecraft, NASA is setting a precedent for how future space stations and large orbital facilities will be decommissioned, making space operations safer for everyone. ## Notable For - First dedicated spacecraft specifically designed for deorbiting a space station - Based on the proven Dragon 2 spacecraft platform, ensuring reliability - Represents NASA's largest single contract for a deorbit vehicle in history - Addresses critical space debris and safety concerns for the ISS decommissioning - Sets new standards for responsible space infrastructure end-of-life management ## Body ### Development and Contract Award NASA selected SpaceX to develop the United States Deorbit Vehicle on June 26, 2024, awarding a contract valued at $843 million. The announcement came through official NASA channels, with the contract covering the design, development, and operational phases of the spacecraft. This selection followed a competitive process to identify the best solution for safely deorbiting the International Space Station. ### Technical Specifications and Design The USDV is based on SpaceX's Dragon 2 spacecraft, leveraging proven technology and design principles from this successful platform. While specific technical details remain limited in the available sources, the vehicle will be purpose-built for the unique requirements of deorbiting a structure the size of the ISS. The spacecraft will need to provide sufficient thrust and control capabilities to guide the massive space station through atmospheric re-entry. ### Mission and Purpose The primary mission of the United States Deorbit Vehicle is to safely deorbit the International Space Station at the end of its operational life. This involves using the spacecraft's propulsion systems to control the ISS's descent trajectory, ensuring it enters the Earth's atmosphere at the correct angle and location. The goal is to direct the station to a safe re-entry point over the ocean, where debris can fall harmlessly without risk to populated areas. ### Operational Control NASA will serve as the operator of the USDV once it becomes operational. This means the space agency will be responsible for mission planning, flight operations, and coordination with other space agencies involved in ISS operations. The operational control structure ensures that the deorbit mission aligns with NASA's safety protocols and international agreements regarding space debris mitigation. ### Timeline and Future Plans While the contract was awarded in June 2024, specific timelines for the USDV's development and the ISS's eventual deorbit remain unclear in the available sources. The spacecraft is currently in the development phase following the contract award. The actual use of the USDV will coincide with the end of the ISS's operational life, which is expected to occur in the coming years, though an exact date has not been specified in the provided materials. ## References 1. [NASA Selects International Space Station US Deorbit Vehicle. 2024](https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-selects-international-space-station-us-deorbit-vehicle/) 2. [Source](https://spacenews.com/enhanced-dragon-spacecraft-to-deorbit-the-iss-at-the-end-of-its-life/) 3. [Source](https://spacenews.com/nasa-awards-spacex-contract-for-space-station-deorbit-vehicle/) 4. [NASA awards SpaceX contract for space station deorbit vehicle. 2024](https://spacenews.com/nasa-awards-spacex-contract-for-space-station-deorbit-vehicle/)