NASA’s latest request for cash is making headlines for its big plans for a deorbiting ISS ‘space tug.’ The space agency has recently submitted its fiscal year 2022 budget request, asking for $24.7 billion to fund various projects, including the development of the new space tug. NASA has been working on the conceptualization of this vehicle for some time now, and the latest budget request shows that it is ready to take the project to the next level. The space tug would be tasked with moving modules and even the entire International Space Station (ISS) out of orbit when its life span is up. This is an important development for the space agency as it prepares for a future that includes commercial space travel and the potential for more debris in orbit. Let’s take a closer look at the details of this exciting proposal.
NASA has revealed its proposed budget for 2024, which includes staying dedicated to the Artemis lunar program, its Moon to Mars objectives, and sustaining a presence in low Earth orbit. The space agency is additionally seeking a space tug to deorbit the International Space Station at the end of its life. NASA has allocated $180 million for the development of a deorbit ability for the ISS, defining that it will call upon the private sector to create a space tug concept to lower the orbit of the station, and to re-enter and burn up through the Earth’s atmosphere. NASA’s Chief Financial Officer Margaret Vo Schaus has highlighted the key priorities for the budget, which include establishing a presence on and around the Moon, developing a new plan to deorbit the ISS, and starting to launch samples from the surface of Mars as early as 2030. Lueders estimates that the total cost of the space tug would be approximately $1 billion, with the requested $180 million designed to provide a start on the project in the coming year.
In conclusion, NASA’s latest request for funding includes some exciting plans for the future of space exploration. With the deorbiting ISS space tug, we can look forward to more efficient and cost-effective ways to maintain and dispose of satellites and space debris. This technology could have significant implications for the future of space travel and exploration. As we continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in space, we can trust that NASA will always be at the forefront of innovation and discovery. The future of space is bright, and we can’t wait to see what lies ahead.
