🛰️Space Debris Mitigation Unit 11 – Space Debris: Global Policies & Regulations

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Space debris defined as any human-made object in orbit around Earth that no longer serves a useful purpose
• Orbital debris includes non-functional spacecraft, abandoned launch vehicle stages, mission-related debris, and fragmentation debris
• Low Earth Orbit (LEO) region of space up to 2,000 km above Earth's surface where majority of space debris resides
• Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) circular orbit 35,786 km above Earth's equator where satellites appear stationary
• Kessler Syndrome theoretical scenario where density of objects in LEO becomes high enough that collisions cascade, generating more debris
• Space Situational Awareness (SSA) knowledge and understanding of the space environment, including location and function of space objects and space weather conditions
• Active Debris Removal (ADR) involves using spacecraft to deliberately remove debris from orbit
  • Can involve capturing debris with nets, harpoons, or robotic arms for de-orbiting

Historical Context of Space Debris

• Space debris has accumulated since the beginning of the Space Age with the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957
• Early space missions lacked debris mitigation measures, leading to the accumulation of spent rocket stages and defunct satellites in orbit
• Cold War space race between the United States and Soviet Union led to rapid increase in space activities and debris generation
  • Anti-satellite weapons tests conducted by both nations created significant amounts of debris (e.g., 1985 U.S. destruction of Solwind P78-1 satellite)
• Fragmentation events, such as spontaneous explosions of residual fuel in rocket stages, have been a major source of debris
• Collisions between space objects, such as the 2009 Iridium-Kosmos collision, have also generated substantial debris clouds
• Growing recognition of the space debris problem in the 1980s and 1990s led to the development of debris mitigation guidelines

Current Global Space Debris Situation

• As of 2021, the U.S. Space Surveillance Network tracked more than 27,000 pieces of orbital debris larger than 10 cm
• Estimated 900,000 pieces of debris between 1 cm and 10 cm, and over 128 million pieces smaller than 1 cm
• Majority of debris is concentrated in LEO, with smaller populations in GEO and other orbits
• Space debris poses collision risks to operational satellites and human spaceflight missions
  • International Space Station (ISS) regularly performs collision avoidance maneuvers
• Debris can impact Earth's surface, with larger objects posing potential risks to populated areas
• Increasing number of satellite constellations (e.g., SpaceX Starlink) raises concerns about debris generation and orbital crowding
• Debris from recent anti-satellite tests, such as India's Mission Shakti in 2019, has exacerbated the problem

International Space Law and Treaties

• Outer Space Treaty (1967) forms the basis of international space law
  • Article VIII states that nations retain jurisdiction and control over objects launched into space
  • Article IX requires states to avoid harmful contamination of space and celestial bodies
• Liability Convention (1972) establishes that launching states are liable for damage caused by their space objects
• Registration Convention (1975) requires states to maintain a registry of objects launched into space
• Moon Agreement (1979) reaffirms the Outer Space Treaty's provisions and emphasizes the peaceful use of the Moon and other celestial bodies
• International space law does not directly address space debris but provides a framework for responsible space activities
• United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS) serves as the primary international forum for space governance

National Space Policies and Regulations

• United States has implemented several policies and regulations to address space debris
  • National Space Policy (2010) directs agencies to pursue debris mitigation measures
  • NASA Procedural Requirements for Limiting Orbital Debris and Evaluating the Meteoroid and Orbital Debris Environment (NPR 8715.6B) establishes debris mitigation requirements for NASA missions
• European Space Agency (ESA) has adopted the ESA Space Debris Mitigation Compliance Verification Guidelines
• Japan's Space Activities Act (2016) includes provisions for debris mitigation and removal
• Russia's Federal Law on Space Activities (1993) and Statute on Licensing Space Operations (1996) address debris mitigation
• China's Space Debris Mitigation Requirements (2010) outline debris prevention and reduction measures for Chinese space activities
• National policies and regulations vary in scope and enforcement, but generally align with international guidelines

Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines

• Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) developed the IADC Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines (2002, revised 2007)
  • Limit debris released during normal operations
  • Minimize the potential for on-orbit breakups
  • Limit the probability of accidental collision in orbit
  • Avoid intentional destruction and other harmful activities
  • Minimize potential for post-mission breakups resulting from stored energy
  • Limit the long-term presence of spacecraft and launch vehicle orbital stages in the LEO region after the end of their mission
  • Limit the long-term interference of spacecraft and launch vehicle orbital stages with the GEO region after the end of their mission
• United Nations COPUOS adopted the Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (2007), based on the IADC guidelines
• International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has developed a series of standards for debris mitigation (e.g., ISO 24113:2019)
• Guidelines are voluntary and non-binding, relying on national implementation and international cooperation

Challenges in Policy Implementation

• Lack of a comprehensive, legally binding international treaty specifically addressing space debris
• Differing national priorities and capabilities in space activities can hinder consistent implementation of debris mitigation measures
• Balancing the need for debris mitigation with the economic and technological interests of spacefaring nations
• Ensuring compliance with debris mitigation guidelines in an increasingly commercialized and privatized space sector
  • New space actors may prioritize rapid innovation over long-term sustainability
• Technical challenges in monitoring and enforcing debris mitigation practices
• Limited resources and funding for debris removal technologies and missions
• Geopolitical tensions and mistrust among spacefaring nations can impede cooperation on debris management

Future Trends and Proposed Solutions

• Increasing international cooperation and dialogue on space debris through forums like UNCOPUOS and the IADC
• Development of legally binding international agreements on debris mitigation and remediation
• Strengthening national policies and regulations to ensure compliance with international guidelines
• Promoting the design and deployment of spacecraft with improved debris mitigation features (e.g., de-orbit capabilities, passivation)
• Investing in research and development of cost-effective Active Debris Removal (ADR) technologies
  • Demonstration missions like ESA's ClearSpace-1 (planned for 2025) aim to validate ADR concepts
• Exploring the use of on-orbit servicing and maintenance to extend the life of satellites and reduce the generation of new debris
• Encouraging the development of sustainable space technologies and practices, such as the use of green propellants and the minimization of spacecraft breakups
• Improving Space Situational Awareness (SSA) capabilities to better track and characterize debris populations
  • Enhancing data sharing and collaboration among SSA providers and users