NASA is preparing to destroy the International Space Station , awarding SpaceX an $843 million contract to push the station safely out of orbit and back to Earth.
The floating laboratory's first parts were launched in 1998, and it has been occupied by astronauts from the U.S., Japan, Russia, Canada and Europe since 2000, who have completed more than 3,300 scientific experiments in a close orbit above Earth. By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.RELATED STORIES—Uncontrollable coolant leak on Russian ISS capsule puts future missions in jeopardy—'The forbidden space meal': What happens if you need to be a cannibal on Mars?