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 The orbital laboratory remains a blueprint for science, exploration and partnerships in space for the benefit of all,” Ken Bowersox, NASA’s associate administrator for space operations mission directorate, said in a statement. ubwovip The vehicle that SpaceX builds will latch onto the space station and “provide the capability to deorbit the space station and ensure avoidance of risk to populated areas,” according to NASA. The contract is worth up to $843 million. The lifetime of the space station, which is about the size of a football field, is limited by both its technology and its environment. The modules, radiators and truss structures in the primary structure can’t last forever, especially in a place as harsh as space. NASA and its partners have been able to upgrade parts of the space station over the years, but the agency believes it’s time to transition to a new space station built by the private sector. NASA is working with the commercial space industry to make sure new