Nasa reveals plot to crash ISS into the SEA at ‘Earth’s most remote point’ in 2031

NASA looks set to finally kill off the International Space Station (ISS) in less than 10 years time.

The space agency is considering a plan to crash the spacecraft back down on Earth by 2031 into a so-called ‘space graveyard’.

End for the ISS

Point Nemo, Latin for “no one”, is around 4,000 metres deep and further from land than any point on Earth, making it the ideal spot to crash defunct rockets and satellites.

Hundreds of spacecraft – mostly Russian – have been laid to rest there by Nasa and other space agencies since it was first used in 1971.

The iconic space station was launched back in 1998 and has welcomed some 244 astronauts and space tourists during its time.

But the spacecraft is getting old and unsustainable to repair.

US President Biden has committed to keeping it operational until 2030 but after that it’ll need to come down.

It would be dangerous to just leave it in low Earth orbit, as it could crash into satellites creating dangerous space junk.

“While the ISS will not last forever, NASA expects to be able to operate it safely through 2030,” a NASA report said.

Instead, the space agency wants private firms like Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezo’s Blue Origin to step in and do the work in future.

“The private sector is technically and financially capable of developing and operating commercial low-Earth orbit destinations, with NASA’s assistance,” said Phil McAlister, director of commercial space.

“We look forward to sharing our lessons learned and operations experience with the private sector to help them develop safe, reliable, and cost-effective destinations in space.”

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