NASA is preparing to deorbit the International Space Station (ISS) by gradually lowering its orbit until it reenters Earth’s atmosphere around 2030. The agency intends for the station to burn up over the South Pacific Ocean, minimizing risks to populated areas. However, experts caution that the process could have significant environmental impacts.
The ISS, weighing approximately 450 tons, is the largest human-made object ever to orbit Earth. Its mass alone raises concerns about the release of harmful substances into the atmosphere during reentry.
Research has revealed that the reentry of a 550-pound satellite produces about 66 pounds of aluminum oxide nanoparticles. These particles can take up to 30 years to descend from the stratosphere, potentially harming the ozone layer.
By comparison, the ISS’s mass dwarfs that of satellites such as SpaceX’s Starlink, which are already contributing to ozone depletion. Given the ISS’s size, its environmental impact could be far greater, though the exact risks are still under study.
To manage the station’s reentry, NASA has commissioned SpaceX to develop a “US Deorbit Vehicle.” This specially designed spacecraft will guide the ISS out of orbit over several years, ensuring it lands in the remote South Pacific, far from inhabited areas.
NASA’s plan for the ISS’s controlled descent underscores the growing need to address the environmental impacts of space activities. As the number of satellites and orbital objects increases, the scientific community is only beginning to understand the broader implications for Earth’s atmosphere and environment.
This transition marks the end of an era for the ISS, a cornerstone of international cooperation in space exploration, while spotlighting the urgent need for sustainable practices in space operations.
Reference- Futurism, Journal Geophysical Research Letters, Space.com, Interesting Engineering