World Space Week-2024: Spacecraft Cemetery
06 October
Dear friends, welcome to the celebration of the annual World Space Week at Planetarium Noosphere. This year's theme is Space and Climate Change. Our space guides have prepared interesting events for you, and we will share interesting facts on social media about space exploration and its effects on the environment. Find out what happens to satellites after they have served their purpose, whether rocket launches are safe for the Earth's atmosphere, and learn about devices that help people monitor the environment. Follow the updates and see you at the space shows.
What happens to spacecraft that have completed their missions? Some remain in orbit and turn into dangerous space debris. Smaller satellites burn up in the Earth's atmosphere. And more massive vehicles are sent to the Spacecraft Cemetery at the mysterious Point Nemo.
What is Point Nemo?
Point Nemo, or the Oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility, is the farthest point in the world's oceans from land. It is located in the South Pacific Ocean. It is more than 1600 km away from the nearest island, and more than 2600 km away from the nearest settlement on Easter Island. So the closest people to Point Nemo are mostly astronauts on the International Space Station, as it orbits about 400 kilometers above.
Why is It the Best Place for a Spacecraft Cemetery?
According to NASA calculations, there is a 0.0001% chance that a spacecraft falling over Point Nemo will cause damage. There are no shipping lanes near the Pole of Inaccessibility. Due to the strong currents, there are no fish or other marine life at all. Therefore, spacecraft that end their voyage here have minimal environmental impact and do not disturb the local population. Even so, things do happen. For example, in 2001, local fishermen were extremely surprised to see the burning remains of the 120-ton Mir space station in the sky.
What Spacecraft are Buried at Point Nemo?
There are currently over 260 spacecraft buried in the spacecraft cemetery. Curiously, Point Nemo is named after the character in Jules Verne's novel, and the automated cargo ship Jules Verne rests there. There are also other European Space Agency cargo spacecraft, a SpaceX rocket, Japanese HTV unmanned cargo vehicles...
The International Space Station will also be disposed of there at the end of its service.
What happens to spacecraft that have completed their missions? Some remain in orbit and turn into dangerous space debris. Smaller satellites burn up in the Earth's atmosphere. And more massive vehicles are sent to the Spacecraft Cemetery at the mysterious Point Nemo.
What is Point Nemo?
Point Nemo, or the Oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility, is the farthest point in the world's oceans from land. It is located in the South Pacific Ocean. It is more than 1600 km away from the nearest island, and more than 2600 km away from the nearest settlement on Easter Island. So the closest people to Point Nemo are mostly astronauts on the International Space Station, as it orbits about 400 kilometers above.
Why is It the Best Place for a Spacecraft Cemetery?
According to NASA calculations, there is a 0.0001% chance that a spacecraft falling over Point Nemo will cause damage. There are no shipping lanes near the Pole of Inaccessibility. Due to the strong currents, there are no fish or other marine life at all. Therefore, spacecraft that end their voyage here have minimal environmental impact and do not disturb the local population. Even so, things do happen. For example, in 2001, local fishermen were extremely surprised to see the burning remains of the 120-ton Mir space station in the sky.
What Spacecraft are Buried at Point Nemo?
There are currently over 260 spacecraft buried in the spacecraft cemetery. Curiously, Point Nemo is named after the character in Jules Verne's novel, and the automated cargo ship Jules Verne rests there. There are also other European Space Agency cargo spacecraft, a SpaceX rocket, Japanese HTV unmanned cargo vehicles...
The International Space Station will also be disposed of there at the end of its service.
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