Outer Space Landfills?

The use of satellites in outer space has become crucial to the economy. A 2007 report estimates that government and commercial space activities brought in $251 billion in global revenue. With such profit comes consequence - orbital debris. Orbital debris is a form of space pollution produced by satellites and spacecraft operations. The Space Surveillance Network (SSN) has counted 17,300 artificial objects in space larger than 10 centimeters. Approximately 800 of these objects are functional satellites.

International problems will inevitably arise as space pollution increases. To prevent this, space resource management rules and regulations must be developed to reduce the creation of new debris. October 5-9 is World Space Week, which the Secure World Foundation will use to bring attention to orbital debris. The Foundation is scheduled to give a presentation at the University of Colorado Fiske Planetarium on October 9, focused on the governance issues related to mitigation and removal of this hazard.

Debris in orbit can linger in space for decades or even centuries and prove to be catastrophic due to high impact velocities. The International Space Station (ISS) has a debris shield designed to protect it from objects between one millimeter to one centimeter in size. Most spacecrafts are not equipped with such a shield. As more and more debris is released into space the danger increases as space waste begins to collide. This will challenge and potentially inhibit future space opportunities.

The Secure World Foundation’s recommendations:

1. All space-faring nations must be encouraged to implement the orbital debris guidelines and to report their progress at meetings of the United Nations’ Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).

2. COPUOS, the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) and the commercial space industry should work together to strengthen space debris norms now in place and to incorporate new technologies into an international effort to alleviate space debris.

3. COPUOS should continue to consider additional measures to combat space debris, including discussion on best operating practices and other space sustainability topics.

4. Research into the most effective and efficient methods of removing objects from orbit should continue, as well as further studies into how many and which types of objects are most beneficial and create the least problems.

Will orbital debris fall out of orbit and strike Earth, damaging our planet? Is it possible to collect outer space debris and dispose of it properly? What international agreements are in the works to control space debris? Is there anything people can do to support space clean up?