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28 Jun 2024 — 5 min read

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SpaceX NASA Contract:

NASA has awarded an $843 million contract to SpaceX to build the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle, which will guide the International Space Station (ISS) to its destruction after its planned retirement in 2030. This spacecraft will be responsible for safely deorbiting the ISS, ensuring it re-enters the Earth's atmosphere in a controlled manner to minimize risks to populated areas.
The SpaceX-built vehicle will push the ISS into reentry from orbit, effectively destroying the football-field-sized research laboratory. NASA emphasized the importance of preparing for the safe and responsible deorbiting of the ISS, highlighting the need to avoid risks to populated areas. While NASA did not specify whether the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle will be based on SpaceX's existing spacecraft designs, such as the Dragon capsules, the agency, and SpaceX did not immediately provide further details on the vehicle's design.
The ISS, which has been operational since 2000, has hosted over 3,300 experiments in microgravity, contributing to research in medical sciences and technology that are not possible on Earth. The U.S., along with international partner agencies from Russia, Europe, Canada, and Japan, has been planning for the eventual end of the ISS. The station has served as a crucial crewed research laboratory for two decades, and preparations for its deorbiting mark the next step in its mission lifecycle.

CENTCOM Activity:

On June 27, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces intercepted and destroyed an uncrewed aerial system (UAS) launched by Iranian-backed Houthis into the Red Sea. This UAS posed an imminent threat to U.S. and coalition forces, as well as merchant vessels. On June 26, CENTCOM forces targeted and destroyed a Houthi radar site in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen. This radar site was identified as a threat to U.S., coalition forces, and merchant vessels. The destruction of this site was part of efforts to safeguard international waters and protect maritime traffic.
The decentralized leadership structure of the Houthis makes it challenging to counter their operations effectively. Unlike conventional military organizations, the Houthis operate through a network of loosely connected units, each with a significant degree of autonomy. This structure allows them to adapt quickly and carry out attacks independently, complicating efforts to disrupt their activities. The flexibility and resilience provided by this decentralized system enable the Houthis to sustain their operations despite targeted strikes and other countermeasures.

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