Space Debris Mitigation Effort in the Developing Countries

IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 2016

The development of air space recently entered a new phase, when the space issues correlated with the future of a country. In past time, the space authorization was related with advancing technology by many space mission and various satellite launchings, or it could be said that who ruled technology will rule the space. Therefore, the numerous satellites in the space could be a threat for the countries which are mainly located in the path of the satellite, especially in the equatorial region including Indonesia. This study aims to create a policy scenario in mitigating the threat of space debris. The results showed that although space debris was not threatened national security for now, but the potential and its impact on the future potentially harmful. The threats of orbit circulation for some experts considered as a threat for national security, because its danger potential which caused by space debris could significantly damage the affected areas. However, until now Indonesia has no comprehensive mitigation strategy for space matters although it has been ratified by the United Nations Convention.

2020

With several actors entering the space scene and the skyrocketed increase in the launches, space exploration has become more complex, so does the challenges related to the threat posed by space debris. To deal with this matter, the United Nations adopted the Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines, and later, the Long-Term Sustainability Guidelines. These international guidelines are non-binding and voluntary, and they open space for actors to behave towards their selfinterest. Considering that, this research aimed to analyze the issue of space debris in the context of the discussions of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) from 2006 to 2019, using a regime theory approach. The background provides relevant data on the space debris context and the legal framework of outer space. The theoretical framework describes the regime theory approach towards international cooperation, followed by a literature review of relevant works about space debris under the regime theory. This research applied thematic analysis to find relevant themes being discussed at the COPUOS, as well as new trends and contemporary issues. It was found that, although the guidelines were important milestones to regulate space debris, the outer space regime still needs to evolve in order to reach the end-to-end problem, as these are changes within the regimein its rules and procedures instead of its principles and norms. While major events and new trends were being discussed, they indirectly affected the discussions and proposals of the COPUOS over the years. The dissatisfaction of some delegations on issues such as liability towards space debris and the non-binding character of the guidelines was visible, although not leading to important changes.

NLUD Law Research Series, 2012

Space flight is not a random activity, but one requiring decisions and Commitments with very long lead times and very long consequences.-Albert Gore 1 According to Ulf Merbold, the first West German astronaut, our genes are like a program that continuously pushes us beyond the horizon of our experience in order to conquer new positions, finally leading us into outer space. 2 The basic nature of the human being to explore its surroundings has been transformed to the extent of the exploitation of the outer space. The historic journey of exploration, previously unknown and inaccessible realm, was started fifty three years ago with Sputnik and reached upto the uncontrolled multipurpose use (like telecommunication, strategic, research, tourism etc.) of the outer space by the different countries which raised the serious global concern. Outer Space is res communis like Antarctica and High seas, any country of the international community can use and explore it.

2018

Space debris consists of millions of pieces of man-made material orbiting the Earth at speeds of up to several km s -1 . Although, the majority of these fragments result from the space activities of only three countries, viz. China, Russia, and the United States, yet pose a continuous threat to all assets in Earth’s orbit. Debris poses a growing threat to satellites and can prevent the use of valuable orbits in the future. Many pieces of debris are too small to monitor but too large to shield satellites against. Based on increase in space debris, certain measures have been taken to address this global issue. In particular, internationally adopted debris mitigation guidelines are reducing the introduction of new fragments into Earth’s orbit. However, there is a growing consensus within the space debris community that mitigation is insufficient to constrain the orbiting debris population. Also, ensuring a safe future for space activities will require the development and deployment of ...

Since the launch of the Sputnik 1 in 1957, around 8,000 man-made space objects have been launched in space. While these space objects have given us satellites and space probes which have revolutionized the way we perceive modern life and outer space, the byproduct of this process has been the creation of excessive space debris. The problem created by the uncurbed and unintentional production of space debris has been escalating in the past couple of decades and the lack of binding legislation regarding this issue is alarming news for future generations who may not be able to utilise the outer space resources that international space agencies are misusing so casually. This paper attempts to analyse the existing legislation governing space debris and the consequences of the lack of pre-emptive and corrective measures to prevent a crisis caused by space debris.

Studia Prawnoustrojowe, 2019

There is no doubt that space matters in today's time. We have become highly reliant on space science and technology; life without it cannot be imagined. No one can deny the significance of space safety. Thus, for the smooth functioning of life, there is a need for safety and security in outer space. So, it would not be wrong to say that we are at the mercy of these new space technologies. Currently, space debris has been facing universal embryonic challenge to the sustainable activities of outer space, and if not coped at the earliest, the world would face titanic catastrophe. From the preceding decades, there have been some crashing episodes that heightened the space debris build-up, and the speed at which myriad space activities have caused the production of debris. Such huge congregation of debris can pose dangers to the working space satellites. It could also fetch numerous challenges at the same time. In addition, the tremendous development in space technology, involvement of private sector in space activities, Anti Satellite tests adventure of space powers, weaponization and commercialization (space tourism) has made outer space more vulnerable. Presently, there is a dearth of stringent space laws with regards to the proliferation of space debris. So, these issues can have an impact on the long-term sustainability of space activities. Progressing and advanced space faring nations have found the worth of a proficient International Regime that can play a vital role for ordering, overseeing, and managing the research and advancement of space. The paper will magnet the attention towards the real legal, technical, financial and managerial facts. Some countries are capable of removing space debris but encounter many obstacles while applying such actions. Besides who will bear the expense for the removal of space debris as its prerequisites giant sum of money. This paper is going to put forward an independent international space regime (ISR). In order to meet the financial issues this paper proposed to establish a Global Debris Removal Fund. The old-fashioned space law regime is the core obstruction for the debris removal procedure. Finally, it is desirable that all legal issues be fixed through the innovative procedures and reformed international space law (ISL) system with inclusive coordination and cooperation. Thus, it would be the perfect ISR for the resolutions of remediation and mitigation of space debris.

2021

Space debris (SD) has been accumulating for 64 years, since 1957 with the launch of Sputnik 1. Since then, numerous factors have added to the SD section of the United States Air Force Space Command (USAFSC) space object catalog. SD is defined as any type of space object particularly: intact, operational by-products, discarded, lost, inactive, or out of control items moving at any velocity (usually hypervelocity) at any point in outer space. These artificial SD objects include, but are not limited to, intact satellites, collision fragments, explosion particulates, aluminum oxide (Al 2O 3) engine slag, titanium (Ti) particles, sodium potassium (NaK) reactor coolant, experimental copper (Cu) needles, lunar dust, and paint flecks ranging from 200 micrometers (μm) to larger than 1 meter (m). These items are more prevalent than natural meteoroids in orbit of Earth and exist anywhere in low earth orbit (LEO), Medium Earth orbit (MEO), to geosynchronous orbit (GEO), likely extending to cislunar orbits (CLO, pronounced Cle-Oh). In 1978 Donald Kessler of NASA proposed a potential syndrome where collisions from space debris will grow in a factorial rate generating more collisions creating an impenetrable cloud of debris preventing all space operations. Since then, international efforts in tracking, modeling, and mitigating debris have played key roles in reducing short-term risk to space operations. Scientific, technological, and legal apparatus for engineering post mission disposal (PMD), space traffic management (STM), and active debris removal (ADR) are needed to counteract short and long-term rick SD pollution. SD poses a great risk to human spaceflight as the burgeoning space industry develops into the following centuries. Transparency and Confidence-Building Measures (TCBMs) are required internationally to decrease this risk and ensure long-term peaceful and productive uses of outer space.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 2024

The rapid accumulation of space debris has emerged as a critical threat to global satellite infrastructure, jeopardizing essential services such as communications, navigation and real-time weather forecasting, which are fundamental to effective disaster management. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the multifaceted challenges posed by space debris, focusing on collision risks, Kessler Syndrome and the inherent vulnerabilities of satellite networks. It highlights significant gaps in existing international regulatory frameworks, underscoring the urgent need for stronger global coordination. While technological interventions such as Active Debris Removal (ADR) and enhanced Space Situational Awareness (SSA) show promise, they fall short when applied alone. A sustainable solution requires an integrated approach that combines innovative technologies such as on-orbit manufacturing and self-destruction systems with policy reforms that enforce stricter debris management protocols and encourage compliance with economic measures such as debris removal credits and orbital parking fees. China, European Union, the United States and some other countries have already begun the work needed to coordinate space activities, but the breadth of these efforts and rules varies from country to country, and the lack of ownership or control of space is a problem. Given the important role of satellites in disaster response, the protection of space assets is essential to sustaining global resilience. Ensuring long-term sustainability will depend on international cooperation, binding agreements and a collective commitment to preserve the orbital environment for future generations.