Where is the target impact zone specified for the controlled disposal of the ISS debris?
Answer
South Pacific Ocean Uninhabited Area (SPOUA)
The decommissioning plan for the ISS aims for a highly specific and remote location to ensure public safety during the controlled disposal maneuver. The target trajectory is calculated to direct the station's descent path toward an impact zone in the South Pacific Ocean Uninhabited Area, which is commonly referred to by the acronym SPOUA. This specific area functions as a designated location, sometimes called a spacecraft cemetery, set aside to safely absorb the remnants of large objects returning from orbit, unlike smaller satellites that may be left to fall randomly.
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