Adaptation to Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines and Space Law

ABSTRACT

Space exploration is a mechanism whereby, with the use of astronomy and space technology, humans are able to explore outer space and the universe at large. In this article, the authors address space debris issues with a discussion of future space law issues along with a brief elaboration of how the adaptation took place for space debris mitigation guidelines. The history of space law formulated during the United Nations’ General Assembly is justified, along with the resolutions that took place throughout recent years. The authors also elaborate on the importance of theoretical modeling and how it could be adopted into practice utilizing the established debris mitigation guidelines. Legal and political constraints are also highlighted, along with where the future focus on legal factors should be when considering space debris mitigation.

Notes

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2. IADC member agencies include: Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI); Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES); China National Space Administration (CNSA); Canadian Space Agency (CSA); German Aerospace Center (DLR); European Space Agency (ESA); Indian Space Research Organization(ISRO); Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA); Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI); NASA; Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos); State Space Agency of Ukraine (SSAU); and the United Kingdom (UK) Space Agency.

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7. J. C. Liou, N. L. Johnson, and N. M. Hill, “Controlling the growth of future LEO debris populations with active debris removal,” Acta Astronautica 66 (2010): 648–653.

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11. “UNCOPUOS Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines,” Space Safety Regulations and Standards, 2010: 475–479; and IADC-02–01 Revision 1, Steering Group and Working Group 4, September 2007.

12. D. A. Vallado, P. Crawford, R. Hujsak, and T. S. Kelso, “Revisiting Spacaetrack Report” (paper presented at the AIAA/AAS Astrodynamics Specialist Conference, Keystone, CO, 21–24 August 2006), 21–24; and Technical Report on Space Debris, Text of the Report Adopted by the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, United Nations, 1999.

13. National Research Council, “Methods for Characterization,” Orbital Debris: A Technical Assessment (Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 1995): 31–61.

14. Brian Weeden, “The Non-Technical Challenges of Active Debris Removal” (paper presented at 2nd European Workshop on Active Debris Removal, Paris, France, 18–19 June 2012).