The NASA, along with its international partners, has established a firm plan to conclude the mission of the International Space Station (ISS). They anticipate that it will be deorbited by the end of 2030 or early 2031. This controlled deorbiting targets Point Nemo, a remote location in the Pacific Ocean. However, this planning has sparked intense debate among scientists, ecologists, and international law experts due to potential environmental repercussions.
Controversy over the plan to sink the International Space Station
Starting in 2028, the ISS will gradually lose altitude, a process that will be accelerated by maneuvers from the Russian segment and atmospheric drag. In 2029, a U.S. Deorbit Vehicle (USDV) developed by SpaceX, equipped with 46 Draco thrusters, will be deployed to ensure the final impact.
The maneuver has raised concerns mainly due to the lack of precedent in deorbiting such vast structures. Organizations like the Ocean Foundation warn about materials that could survive atmospheric reentry, posing risks to the seabed. Mark Spalding, president of the foundation, emphasizes that the most resilient parts could be altered in the ocean.
Environmental organizations demand that comprehensive impact studies be conducted and information about the materials involved be disclosed. They argue that the remaining fragments could threaten marine biodiversity.
Additionally, the U.S. Government Accountability Office has pointed out a legal gap. Current legislation does not adequately regulate the fall of technological debris in international waters, complicating remediation responsibilities.
According to audits, the 1972 Space Liability Convention requires compensation for damages in sovereign territories but does not clearly stipulate actions on the high seas. This laxity allows government agencies to deposit debris in uninhabited oceanic areas without obligations for cleanup or restoration.
International organizations have requested that NASA’s operation be evaluated in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and other marine agreements, seeking to ensure that environmental studies are conducted in areas beyond national jurisdictions.
NASA, for its part, defends the decision by highlighting the role of the ISS in significant scientific advancements over nearly three decades. However, the transition to commercial platforms could leave a gap in permanent human presence in low Earth orbit.
This operation over the Pacific will set an important precedent for the management of space debris, influencing future guidelines that balance space exploration with ecosystem protection.
