# Point Nemo: spacecraft cemetery where astronauts are closest humans 2026-08-15T17:27:33+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Point Nemo in the South Pacific is the most remote spot on Earth, 2,688 km from the nearest land in any direction. Since 1971, over 263 retired spacecraft have been deliberately guided into these waters, including Russia's Mir space station and America's Skylab. The area serves as a safe disposal site for space debris, reducing orbital junk and the risk of falling objects harming people on land. Yet the practice raises environmental concerns. According to a study cited by Times of India, 10 to 40 per cent of a spacecraft's mass can survive re-entry, often carrying toxic hydrazine fuel and radioactive components. The ocean floor hosts poorly studied ecosystems, and international law focuses on protecting human life, not marine life. ## Coverage - timesofindia.indiatimes.com Tags: ESA, International Space Station, NASA, Point Nemo, Roscosmos, space debris Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/point-nemo-spacecraft-cemetery-where-astronauts-are-closest-humans/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/point-nemo-spacecraft-cemetery-where-astronauts-are-closest-humans/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.