NASA is moving forward with plans to take the International Space Station out of orbit in 2031 and crash it into the Pacific Ocean, according to the space agency’s International Space Station Transition Report released Monday. NASA explained the ISS will continue operating through 2030 in order to maintain a United States presence in space until private industry operators develop commercial replacements.
One of five motors malfunctioned at liftoff, leaving the vehicle short of the net thrust needed to reach the correct altitude. The vehicle is still a prototype, but this is the fifth failure thus far.
Index to 1:33:31 if it doesn't do so automatically.
In Blue Origin's case, they cross the Karman line (100 km). Virgin cross 50 miles, which is the US standard threshold space, but not the Karman line. Regardless, both are suborbital hoppers.
