The Ethics Concerning Space Debris

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The Ethics Concerning Space Debris

In more than 40 years of space activities some 3800 launches led to about 25000 observable space objects larger than 10 cm of which 8300 were still in orbit by September 1997. Only 6% of the catalogued orbit population are operational spacecraft, while 50% is said to be due to "decommissioned satellites," spent upper stages, and objects such as launch adapter and lens covers, which are mission related. The other 44% is originating from 140 on-orbit fragmentations. These events have been the main source that has generated a population of objects larger than 1cm on the order of 70000 to 150000.

Efforts to provide a definitive assessment of this problem have been directed toward analyzing the hazard level presented by particular debris populations and predicting how this hazard level will change with time. Much less effort has been directed toward satellite design and strategies to minimize the short-term and long-term effects of debris deposition.[9]

Larger pieces of debris can cause catastrophic collisions with both manned and unmanned spacecraft. Currently, manned missions are planned around known pieces of space debris, "continuation of present design and operational practices and procedures ensures that the probability of collision will increase and will eventually reach unacceptable levels, perhaps within a decade."

As stated by the AIAA the space debris issue should be faced by all space users, and coordinated action should be taken immediately if the future use of space is not to be seriously restricted. "There is an immediate need for an international dialog to be initiated on the space debris issue, with the goal of forming responsible groups to coordinate research ...

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[5] Rossi, A., "Long Term Evolution of Earth Orbiting Objects," [Online Document], 1996 Mar 12, [cited 2000 November 17], Available HTTP: http://apollo.cnuce.cnr.it/~rossi/publications/oslo/oslo.html

[6] Goldstein, R.M., and S.J. Goldstein Jr., "On the Flux of Millimetric Space Debris," [Online Technical Document], Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 1994.

[7] Baker, Howard A., Space Debris: Legal and Policy Implications. The Netherlands: Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, 1989.

[8] Christol, Carl Q., International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects. American Journal of International Law, Vol 74, Num 3, April 1980. Available: JSTOR Journal Storage.

[9] AIAA "Position Paper prepared by the AIAA Technical Committee on Space Systems" [Online document], July 1981 [Cited 2000 November 17], Availab HTTP:http://www.aiaa.org/policy/papers/space-debris.html

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