International Space Station will plummet to a watery grave in 2031

Nasa confirmed the ISS will plunge into the Pacific ocean to join other decommissioned space stations, satellites and space debris

The International Space Station (ISS) will continue its operations until 2030 before heading for a watery grave at the most remote point in the Pacific, Nasa confirmed in a new transition plan this week.

More than 30 years after its 1998 launch, the ISS will be de-orbited" in January 2031, according to the space agency's budget estimates. Once out of orbit the space station will make a dramatic descent before splash-landing in Point Nemo, which is about 2,700km from any land and has become known as the space cemetery, a final resting place for decommissioned space stations, old satellites and other human space debris.