New Solutions for the Space Debris ProblemAddressing a pressing issue in space policy, Pelton explores the new forms of technology that are being developed to actively remove the defunct space objects from orbit and analyzes their implications in the existing regime of international space law and public international law. This authoritative review covers the due diligence guidelines that nations are using to minimize the generation of new debris, mandates to de-orbit satellites at end of life, and innovative endeavours to remove non-functional satellites, upper stage rockets and other large debris from orbit under new institutional, financial and regulatory guidelines. Commercial space services currently exceed 100 billion USD business per annum, but the alarming proliferation in the population of orbital debris in low, medium and geosynchronous satellite orbits poses a serious threat to all kinds of space assets and applications. There is a graver concern that the existing space debris will begin to collide in a cascading manner, generating further debris, which is known as the Kessler Syndrome. Scientific analysis has indicated an urgent need to perform space debris remediation through active removal of debris and on-orbit satellite servicing. |
Contents
| 1 | |
Current Space Debris Remediation and OnOrbit Servicing Initiatives | 10 |
Exploring New Approaches and Solutions to the Orbital Space Debris Problem | 31 |
Examining the Case for Active Orbital Debris Removal | 39 |
New Technological Approaches to Orbital Debris Remediation | 52 |
Legal Challenges Related to Active Orbital Debris Removal | 69 |
New Ways Forward A Program of Action for Orbital Space Debris | 81 |
Top Ten Things to Know About Active Debris Removal | 85 |
Glossary of Terms and Acronyms | 89 |
About the Author | 93 |
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active debris removal active orbital debris active removal altitude approach capabilities commercial ConeXpress Coordination Committee IADC COPUOS create cubesat currently DARPA de-orbit systems Debris Coordination Committee debris from orbit debris objects defense defunct satellites defunct spacecraft deployed designed DEXTRE EDDE entities fund GEO orbit geosynchronous orbit global governmental Graphic courtesy graveyard orbit incentives Inter-Agency Space Debris International Space Station Kessler Syndrome launch vehicle Liability Convention low earth orbit medium earth orbit NASA on-orbit servicing orbital debris problem orbital debris removal Orbital Express orbital space debris Outer Space Treaty propulsion protozone regulatory robotic spacecraft small satellites solar solution space activities Space Agency Space Debris Coordination space debris elements Space Debris Mitigation Space Debris Problem space debris removal space faring nations space law space objects Space Operations Space Safety space situational awareness technical tethers thrusters tracking upper stage rocket Vivisat