Answer: You throw the International Space Station into the ocean.
NASA to dump ISS into the Pacific Ocean
“NASA says it plans to extend operations of the International Space Station until 2030 after which it plans to retire the station and crash it into a remote region of the Pacific Ocean commonly known as Point Nemo.“
What a waste! Wouldn’t they get more mileage out of starting the replacement before then and moving salvageable modules over?
Better yet, why the hell haven’t we started building smelters and manufacturing facilities so we can recycle space junk into new useful satellites and such already?
The Soviets/Russians have been dumping junk and deorbiting things into the Pacific for a long time.
Here’s what they did with MIR:
Because it’s not as easy as most think. Only the most recent stuff can be guided, everything else is just in a decaying orbit. Also it’s probably gonna be pretty cooked (useless) by the time it reaches the ground.
I remember when Skylab came down, most people were happy it was mostly an ocean event.
They wanna start space rides for civilians, so turn it into a motel with a souvenir store and a bar/restaurant.
Ultimate mile high club (for rich peoples)
I mean building facilities on-orbit with scoops and tugs to bring it in, amigo. 
ISS’s solar array alone would be a huge jumpstart… or Lacos’s suggestion with some refuel and refurb and maybe a couple added modules could be a good asset-reutilization too.
Reduce, re-use, recycle, re-enter?
It does seem, that the cost of building and lifting that material that there would be SOME use for it. Hell, look at B52s…
The backbone seems like it would be usable. Even if you took the modules and used them for nothing but debris protection. Just throw your trash in them to add mass.
I have to think by 2030 someone like Musk will raise their hands and find something for it.
Space Elevator. We have to be damn close to being able to actually do it.
spot on not to mention, we can’t create artificial reefs off the cost with junk cars etc due to epa bs but it’s ok to dump a space station in the ocean?
Yeah, the EPA needs to pull their head out. We could easily sterilize most cars, town them out and sink them. We could create massive artificial reefs which would support so much ocean life it wouldn’t be funny. But instead we overfish supply and do nothing meaningful in terms of conservation.
SE, if memory serves the barrier is less technology than budget. We could build it, but can’t AFFORD it.
I’m no expert, but when it comes to moving cargo, it has to be cheaper than flying it into space. We could literally send the entire Ikea store up there and build as needed.
On the backend, yes; it’s the front end costs that are the killer on Beanstalks and other such megaprojects, even things as relatively simple as TAVs like the Orient Express concept.
I’ve actually seen the EPA using lead bricks as doorstops. Just kicking them around on the concrete. Leaving smears of lead dust all over the place. I didn’t realize lead bricks were an actual thing until I saw an EPA facility.
I really wanted to steal them all to make shotgun slugs, and leave em a bunch of rubber wedge doorstops. You know, for the ENVIRONMENT!
I really wanted to steal them all to make shotgun slugs, and leave em a bunch of rubber wedge doorstops. You know, for the ENVIRONMENT!
That right there is Funny!
As far as dumping car bodies to make artificial reefs go, there isn’t that much real steel in them to last. I’m picturing a husband and wife fish checking out the newly deposited artificial reef.
Husband Fish: “Look honey, check out the new “Affordable Housing” development.”
Wife Fish: “I ain’t living in no damn Section 8 housing project. You got that?!!”
Husband Fish: “Ten Four Sweet Cheeks. Let’s check out that development off Cuba. Now those bodies were built to last.”
If only there was something totally vast, with absolutely nothing in, for light years in every directions, where someone could dump something into by pushing it in any direction except down.
Scott Manley has a video about it.
Using what material? I don’t think there is anything yet made that is strong enough. If that’s true throwing money at the problem is no assurance that it can be solved.
If there’s concern about polluting the universe (though polluting the Earth seems ok), then send it towards the Sun. If they’d like a bit of a math challenge, they can send it towards Sagittarius A*.
Where are you going to get the delta-v?
Additional engines could be utilized. Solar panels and other useful components should be removed and re-used, reducing the mass.