NASA Seeks Proposals from US Industry for Station Deorbit Spacecraft
NASA Seeks Proposals from US Industry for Station Deorbit Spacecraft

blogs.nasa.gov
NASA Seeks Proposals from US Industry for Station Deorbit Spacecraft

NASA Seeks Proposals from US Industry for Station Deorbit Spacecraft
NASA Seeks Proposals from US Industry for Station Deorbit Spacecraft
$10 says it's going to be a Starship variant, possibly with extra engines and cold gas thrusters.
I wonder if anyone will counter propose to put the whole thing in a parking orbit as a museum piece.
This is what I’ve been thinking. I assume it hasn’t been on the table because it would be hugely expensive and difficult (due to the station not being designed for the kind of burns needed to substantially boost its orbit). But honestly, I’d much rather see funds and research devoted to preserving such a significant piece of space flight history over manned trips to the moon and mars.
But honestly, I’d much rather see funds and research devoted to preserving such a significant piece of space flight history over manned trips to the moon and mars
What?
Would an ion thruster be suitable for something like this? It's not like you need to instantly yeet it up to a higher orbit.