News > How NASA will crash the ISS into the Pacific Ocean's infamous graveyard

How NASA will crash the ISS into the Pacific Ocean's infamous graveyard

NASA's $1 billion plan involves a SpaceX-operated space tug to bring the ISS safely back to Earth, where it will burn up in the atmosphere, with remaining debris expected to land in a remote oceanic region. From 2026, the ISS will slowly descend from its current orbit of 250 miles above Earth to 200 miles. Once the ISS descends to 175 miles, a modified SpaceX Dragon capsule will dock with the station to guide it into an elliptical orbit.