The scheduled deorbit of the International Space Station (ISS) in 2031 has raised questions about potential environmental impacts.
The 450-tonne orbital outpost, which has experienced problems such as coolant leaks and structural cracks, is expected to retire in a controlled re-entry over the South Pacific Oceanic uninhabited area, also known as Point Nemo, according to reports.
This remote location is often used as a “spacecraft graveyard” due to its distance from populated areas.
However, concerns are being raised about its implications for the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans, according to various reports. Environmental impact on oceans and atmosphere According to a report by Space.com, the ISS’s deorbit plan involving controlled decompression into the Earth’s atmosphere has been supported by NASA to minimize risks.
However, concerns about pollution have been highlighted by researchers and advocacy groups.
Luciano Anselmo, a physicist at the Space Flight Dynamics Laboratory in Pisa, Italy, said in a statement that marine pollution caused by re-entry in space is negligible compared to other human activities, but its effects on the upper atmosphere could be significant and are not yet fully understood.
David Santillo, a senior scientist at Greenpeace International, indicated in another statement that the absence of international rules for space hardware disposal complicates such operations.
According to the report, Santillo suggested that frameworks such as the London Convention could address these issues in the future. Advocacy groups including Ocean Conservancy have also cited the use of oceans as a dumping ground for space debris as a concern.
Future implications for space exploration
According to sources, the planned deorbit has sparked discussions about the long-term management of large space structures. Darren McKnight, senior technical fellow at LeoLabs, warned in the report that future space stations could face similar challenges, requiring more robust disposal methods.
The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) had already stressed the urgent need to develop deorbit capabilities for the ISS to avoid uncontrolled re-entry scenarios, a recommendation reiterated in its recent report to NASA.
While controlled disposal of the ISS is considered the safest option, its potential environmental consequences are being evaluated by experts and stakeholders globally.