The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has revealed its intention to shut down the International Space Station by the end of 2030. 

This is contained in the space exploration body’s International Space Station Transition Report.

“While the ISS will not last forever, NASA expects to be able to operate it safely through 2030,” the report stated.

The space body will continue operating the station until the end of 2030, after which it would be crashed into a remote part of the Pacific Ocean known as Point Nemo. 

In a statement, NASA said commercially operated space platforms would replace the ISS as a venue for collaboration and scientific research.

“The private sector is technically and financially capable of developing and operating commercial low-Earth orbit destinations, with NASA’s assistance. We look forward to sharing our lessons learned and operations experience with the private sector to help them develop safe, reliable, and cost-effective destinations in space,” said Phil McAlister, director of commercial space at NASA Headquarters.

The report stated that its budget estimate assumed that the station’s deorbit and re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere would happen in January 2031.

The area designated for the station’s crash is approximately 3,000 miles off of New Zealand’s eastern coast and 2,000 miles north of Antarctica. 

Point Nemo is referred to as the “space cemetery” as countries with space programs such as the US, Russia, Japan and other European countries are estimated to have sunk over 263 pieces of space crafts and equipment there since 1971. 

The location is where decommissioned spacecraft are typically aimed when returning to the Earth.

The space station was first launched in 2000 and has orbited 227 nautical miles above Earth, hosting over 200 astronauts from 19 different countries aboard.