Expert Concerns Over ISS Ocean Disposal Met With Skepticism
NASA’s plan to deorbit the International Space Station in 2029 into the remote waters of Point Nemo has raised significant concerns regarding ocean health and international law. The Ocean Foundation highlights a “troubling structural gap” in international law, as there is no equivalent protection for the ocean as there is for national territories regarding space debris. This leaves space agencies with no legal obligation for cleanup or environmental remediation when debris impacts the high seas. The foundation advocates for a full environmental impact assessment and public disclosure of materials that will survive reentry before the ISS is brought down.
John Q. Hosedrinker