Scientists call for legally-binding treaty to govern space debris

Experts in a wide variety of disciplines, from satellite technology to ocean pollution, want humanity to learn from its mistakes with ocean debris.

By: Science Desk

Abu Dhabi | Updated: March 17, 2023 12:48 PM IST

3 min read

Artist’s impression of the space junk cloud around Earth based on actual density data. Debris objects shown at an exaggerated size. (Image credit: ESA)

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The space junk problem is out of hand. And now, scientists are calling for a legally-binding treaty that will make sure that our planet’s orbit is not irreparably damaged before we irreversibly destroy our prospects of space exploration.

Earlier this month, a draft international agreement referred to as the UN High Seas Treaty was finalised to control how countries treat open seas, or a majority of the world’s oceans that lie beyond the jurisdiction of any one country. Writing in the journal Science, an international group of researchers believe that we need to take this lesson we have learned from one part of the planet to another.

According to a United States Government Accountability Office report, there were almost 5,500 active satellites in orbit as of spring 2022, and it is estimated that an additional 58,000 will be added by 2030. These satellites will provide many important services, but this predicted growth of the industry could make large parts of the Earth’s orbit unusable.

The scientists who wrote the article in Science are experts in a wide variety of disciplines from satellite technology to ocean plastic pollution. They believe that this estimated rapid growth of the satellite industry presents an urgent need for a global agreement on how to best govern our planet’s orbit.

Also read | As space junk threat grows, US government and investors seek solutions

As per the University of Plymouth, the scientists acknowledge that a number of industries and countries are starting to focus on satellite sustainability but they say that this should be enforced to include any nation that plans to deploy satellites.

According to them, any agreement should include measures to implement producer and user responsibility for satellites and debris from the time they launch. The agreement should also take into account the commercial costs of these responsibilities and should incentivise accountability.

Reuters had earlier reported that the US government is attempting to set new “space hygiene norms,” in response to the growing swarm of space debris. Earlier this month, NASA announced that the International Space Station had to fire its thrusters for over just six minutes in order to avoid collision with a satellite.

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