Remote South Pacific Spot Becomes Spacecraft Graveyard, Raising Oceanic Concerns

Point Nemo, positioned at 48°52.6′S 123°23.6′W, is the point on Earth farthest from any coastline, making it ideal for directing defunct space hardware to crash into the ocean. Since the early 1970s, more than 263 objects—including parts of the Mir station, Skylab and recent SpaceX stages—have been steered there by Russia, the United States, Japan and various European states. The remote location reduces the chance of casualties or property damage, satisfying international de-orbit guidelines that require removal of low-Earth-orbit objects within twenty-five years.

However, up to 40 % of a vehicle’s mass can survive re-entry, potentially depositing toxic propellants and radioactive components onto a seabed that hosts sponges, squids, whales and other species. International space law focuses on human safety, leaving a regulatory gap regarding the marine environment in international waters. Scientists note that the long-term ecological impact of this practice remains largely unknown.