Spacecraft Cemetery lies offshore New Zealand in an oceanic stretch known for being completely isolated. Since 1971, its icy waters have served as final resting places for hundreds of satellites and other objects made by human hands that have fallen from orbit or have otherwise become redundant.
Once a spacecraft or satellite reaches its end of life, engineers have two options for disposing of it: either blast it into an irreparably destructive orbit or carefully guide it towards splashdown in the ocean – the latter option is generally preferred as it reduces risks associated with careening into inhabited territory.
What is the Spacecraft Cemetery?
Spacecraft cemeteries are designated locations where old satellites and space stations can be dumped safely, without endangering people or the environment. One such cemetery was recently established in the Pacific Ocean near human settlements but far enough from shipping routes that any risk of contamination of hazardous waste from entering is minimalized.
Space agencies and companies are concerned with the increasing amount of space junk orbiting Earth. To combat this issue, they are working on ways to stop further formation as well as remove existing debris. One strategy they employ for doing so involves deorbiting old satellites or spacecraft from orbit.
When the International Space Station retires in 2030, its spacecraft will join other decommissioned spacecraft at Point Nemo in the Pacific Ocean for disposal. Due to being remote from human settlements and low shipping activity, Point Nemo makes for an ideal spot to bury any decommissioned craft.
Why is the Spacecraft Cemetery important?
Once a satellite reaches the end of its useful life, two options for disposal exist. It can either be sent into orbit far away from Earth in an “Earth orbit”, or deliberately destroyed to reduce debris levels that might damage or disrupt functional satellites and spacecraft.
Small satellites that have become obsolete are easy to dispose of – simply send them off to be sent into space, where they will explode as they land, reports Kiona Smith-Strickland at Gizmodo. But more complex solutions must be devised when dealing with larger objects like space stations which might not quickly burn up upon entering Earth’s atmosphere.
Because the Pacific Pole of Inaccessibility’s waters are remote enough, and do not house any fish which might be injured by falling spacecraft, many nations prefer destroying their older spacecraft in this cemetery.
What are the risks associated with crash landing a spacecraft in the ocean?
Between 1971 and 2018, more than 250 spacecraft including the defunct Soviet/Russian Mir space station, six craft from Salyut stations, and several Russian Progress cargo ships crashed in this region of the ocean. Furthermore, this region holds toxic spacecraft fuels like hydrazine which may leach onto the ocean floor over time.
Even when splashdowns go smoothly, even landing in ideal spots can be risky. In 1961, astronaut Gus Grissom’s Liberty Bell 7 capsule came crashing to rest in the Atlantic Ocean after its hatch blew upon splashdown and nearly drowned him upon splashdown.
Modern spacecraft are intended to de-orbit and crash into the ocean when their orbit is complete, yet such systems often fail. If a spacecraft crashes over populated areas, its debris can cause injuries or property damage that threaten populations in Global South regions where buildings provide less protection against falling debris.
What is the future of the Spacecraft Cemetery?
This mysterious corner of the Pacific Ocean isn’t some spine-chilling sci-fi thriller–it’s where spacecraft and satellites that have reached their end of life are purposely deorbited and crash landed, also known as “spacecraft cemetery.” Used since 1970 as an object storage depot for objects that wouldn’t completely burn up on reentry into Earth’s atmosphere, its purpose has become clear over time.
An isolated spot provides the ideal setting for controlled re-entries as it’s far away from human settlements and major shipping routes – this reduces any chance of debris impacting sensitive marine life on Earth.
Future space agencies will likely continue their tradition of sinking their retired crafts into the Pacific Ocean, while also designing more resilient spacecraft by using materials with lower melting points such as aluminum for fuel tanks rather than titanium which tends to crack during reentry. NASA and ESA both recently adopted aluminum for fuel tank usage compared to titanium tanks due to lower melting points.