SpaceX’s Dragon will boost the ISS for the first time
SpaceX will perform a unique maneuver on November 8, during which its Dragon cargo capsule will perform a ‘reboost’ of the International Space Station (ISS). The 12.5-minute engine burn will lift the ISS to a higher altitude, addressing the gradual orbit decay caused by Earth’s atmospheric drag. This task has traditionally been managed by Russian Soyuz vehicles, but the reboost by a SpaceX capsule marks a shift in the ISS’s maintenance responsibilities.
Reboost to collect data for future operations
According to one report by Space.com, data from this reboost will support the design of a larger SpaceX Dragon vehicle, intended to decommission the ISS when the mission ends, likely in early 2030. According to Jared Metter, SpaceX’s director of Flight Reliability, the results of this reboost test will inform future developments for a US-led deorbit vehicle, which will be necessary as the ISS ages and new commercial stations become operational.
US-Russia cooperation on the ISS continues despite tensions
While Russian Soyuz craft traditionally performed ISS altitude adjustments, changing political dynamics have affected international space collaborations. The ISS remains an exception, with Russian and American entities working together to continue its operations. If Russia goes ahead with its own space station project, which is scheduled to launch no earlier than 2028, additional spacecraft, such as Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus and SpaceX’s Dragon, will be needed to replace the Soyuz.
SpaceX’s overview of recent hardware challenges
SpaceX’s upcoming reboost follows recent technical challenges with its Falcon 9 rocket, including launch delays and problems in July and August. Despite these setbacks, the Falcon 9 has since completed several successful launches, with NASA expressing confidence in SpaceX’s operational safety standards. Bill Spetch, NASA’s Operations and Integration Manager for the ISS, emphasized that NASA works closely with SpaceX on mission safety, particularly regarding the performance of the Dragon capsule.
Space safety remains a top priority
The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel emphasized the need for continued vigilance as hardware ages and operational demands increase. Kent Rominger, a member of the panel, warned against complacency in ensuring safety for both astronauts and missions, underscoring that routine operations must always be closely monitored to ensure safe spaceflight.
