“There may actually be more spacecraft there than fish.” — Chris Brown
Point Nemo: The ISS’s Final Resting Place, What It Is, and Why It’s Astonishingly Undiscovered
Point Nemo is classified as one of Earth’s points of inaccessibility. But what exactly is a point of inaccessibility?
It refers to locations that are farthest from any coastline or landmass, and multiple such locations are referred to as POIs (Points of Inaccessibility). Specifically, Point Nemo is the oceanic pole of inaccessibility, located in the South Pacific Ocean, surrounded by 22 million square kilometers of water.
Other notable POIs include:
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Australia’s Pole of Inaccessibility: 23.17°S, 132.27°E
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Africa’s Pole of Inaccessibility: 5.65°N, 26.17°E
Point Nemo’s importance stems from its status as the final resting place for many satellites and spacecraft from various space agencies, due to its great distance from any landmass. For context, it is quite far from:
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South: Maher Island (Antarctica)
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North: Ducie Island
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Northeast: Motu Nui
At approximately 2,688 kilometers away from any nearest land, Point Nemo is so remote that when the ISS passes overhead at an altitude of about 400 kilometers, the astronauts aboard are closer to Point Nemo than anyone else on Earth.
The Spacecraft Cemetery
Point Nemo is labeled as a “space cemetery” due to its extreme remoteness. The location ensures that deorbited spacecraft can rest there safely without posing a risk to land or maritime activity. This isolation is crucial, providing a safe “graveyard” for satellites and large spacecraft.
It is for this very reason that Point Nemo has been designated as the final resting place for the International Space Station (ISS), which, after decades of service, will be deorbited and submerged into these remote waters—a structure made to soar, destined to sink.
Why Was Point Nemo Selected as the Final Resting Place for Our Artificial Space Marvel?
Its selection stems from its unrivaled safety profile. The vast expanse of 22 million square kilometers of open water provides plenty of room for reentries without risking populated areas. As of 2025, over 260 spacecraft have already been sent to their final rest at Point Nemo.
This information, alongside insights from explorer Chris Brown—who was the first individual to travel to Point Nemo and document his journey on YouTube—emphasizes its significance.
He remarked:
“There may actually be more spacecraft there than fish.“
This statement underlines how little is known about the region. Beyond being a graveyard for spacecraft, Point Nemo may potentially harbor untapped opportunities for scientific discovery, a notion that stems from our overall limited understanding of Earth’s oceans, particularly in isolated regions like this.
The Untapped Mystery: Could There Be More to Point Nemo?
During my self-paced studies in astrobiology through a NASA Astrobiology Institute-recommended course at San Jose State University, I explored the survival mechanisms of extremophiles—organisms thriving in Earth’s harshest environments, such as hydrothermal vents and deep-sea trenches.
Although scientists classify Point Nemo as one of the least biodiverse places on Earth due to its scarcity of nutrients, unexpected observations hint otherwise. Birds such as albatrosses, capable of traveling hundreds of miles, have been seen interacting with explorers like Chris Brown and his son.
I’m not challenging established scientific findings; rather, I’m wondering: Why has this region remained so astonishingly underexplored?
From videos like Chris’s expedition, it’s clear that the area’s remoteness plays a significant role. His journey took three weeks, involved immense financial costs, and introduced physical challenges such as seasickness—factors that deter frequent exploration. Typically, it requires 10 to 11 days just to reach Point Nemo.
Moreover, the surrounding convergence of three major ocean currents further limits the nutrient supply, making the area biologically barren—or so we assume.
Drawing Parallels from Recent Discoveries
Studies in microbiology inspired me to connect these insights to broader astrobiological questions.
Consider the 2024 discovery of “dark oxygen” at 4,000 meters depth—oxygen generated by polymetallic nodules through seawater electrolysis. These nodules, referred to as “seawater batteries,” produce oxygen deep beneath the ocean’s surface without photosynthesis.
Given that such groundbreaking discoveries were made less than a year ago, could similar unknown phenomena be lurking in Point Nemo’s depths, waiting to reshape our understanding of life on Earth—and perhaps beyond?
Space Debris Management and the Role of Point Nemo
What Exactly Is Space Debris?
Space debris includes obsolete satellites, upper rocket stages, defunct spacecraft, and fragments resulting from collisions.
To manage this growing problem, agencies like the European Space Agency (ESA) aim to safely dispose of objects either via atmospheric reentry or by directing them toward isolated oceanic zones like Point Nemo. ESA has achieved a disposal success rate exceeding 90%.
Deorbiting is currently one of the most practical methods for mitigating space debris buildup, ensuring old satellites and other remnants do not pose risks to active missions.
Why Satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Are Especially Dangerous
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites operate between 160 to 1,500 kilometers above Earth’s surface and are crucial for applications like remote sensing, scientific research, and telecommunications.
Satellite types include:
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SSO (Sun-Synchronous Orbit): Useful for climate and weather observation.
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GEO (Geostationary Orbit): Critical for telecommunications and broadcasting.
However, with LEO being highly congested—housing approximately 84% of operational satellites—the risk of collision is substantial. Small debris (even fragments smaller than 1 centimeter) have caused significant incidents, including damaging spacecraft and ISS windows.
Over 1.2 million debris fragments currently orbit Earth. The density is only set to increase with massive satellite deployment plans by:
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SpaceX (42,000 Starlink satellites),
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China’s Hongyan constellation,
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Amazon’s Project Kuiper,
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and OneWeb Corporation.
Seeking Sustainable Solutions for Space Debris
Given the challenges, I ask:
Could we find better methods to permanently remove or recycle satellites rather than letting them decay in orbit or sink to the ocean floor?
In studying ion engines and orbital mechanics, I became fascinated with the idea that satellites could be engineered for repurposing or recycling at the end of their operational lives—maximizing their value and minimizing environmental impacts.
Recycling space materials could:
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Reduce space debris accumulation,
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Preserve the ecological sanctity of Earth’s oceans,
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And foster a circular, sustainable model of space infrastructure.
Legal and Financial Incentives for Change
According to the 1972 Liability Convention, the nation responsible for launching a space object retains liability for any damage it causes—even years later.
As the number of satellites increases, the risk of collisions—and thus legal and financial repercussions—will rise. This should incentivize stronger international standards for satellite deorbiting, repurposing, or recycling rather than abandoning them in orbit or sinking them into Point Nemo.
Final Reflections and Open Questions
As a concluding thought:
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Why not prioritize sustainable propulsion systems for controlled deorbiting?
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Why not repurpose dead satellites into useful infrastructure rather than sinking them into the sea?
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Could we establish a new industry around space material recycling to minimize environmental and financial costs?
Exploring these possibilities could ensure a cleaner, safer future—not only for our orbit and oceans but also for humanity’s long-term ambitions beyond Earth.
About the Author
Maryam Badran is currently pursuing a degree in Aviation Management, viewing it as a strategic foundation for bridging the aviation and space sectors. As the CEO of an NGO and the National Coordinator for the Mars on Earth Project, she combines leadership with a growing technical understanding of space. By complementing her aviation background with specialized courses and hands-on experience in space initiatives, she’s building a unique executive profile aimed at contributing to the future of the space industry.
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