This archive report was first published on 28 October 2019.
Published on October 28, 2019, experts at the 70th International Astronautical Conference in Washington debated the growing issue of space debris and the lack of clear regulations in space.
With the launch of Elon Musk's Starlink constellation, which could include up to 42,000 mini-satellites, the number of objects in space is expected to increase significantly. Currently, there are around 2,000 active satellites in orbit, and over 20,000 objects that are large enough to be catalogued, including space junk and inactive satellites.
According to French expert Christophe Bonnal, a disused satellite at an altitude of 1,000 kilometers will eventually fall back into the atmosphere, but only after about 1,000 years. During this time, the object could collide with a live satellite and cause damage.
"Space is infinitely empty -- this is not like maritime pollution," Bonnal said.
However, Jean-Yves Le Gall, the head of France's space agency, downplayed the issue, stating that there are "practically no examples of satellite problems caused by space debris." Le Gall also noted that the problem is becoming more urgent due to the launch of satellite constellations.
Jan Woerner, the director general of the European Space Agency, admitted that the best solution would be to have international law, but acknowledged that this would take decades.
Currently, only France has stipulated in its laws that any satellite in low orbit must be removed from orbit in 25 years. The US space agency NASA and others have adopted rules for their own satellites, but without legal constraints.
Experts are hoping that everyone will voluntarily adopt rules of good behavior, defining things like the required space between satellites, coordination, and data exchanges. Various codes and standards have been put down on paper, including the Space Safety Coalition charter, which has been signed by 34 actors, including Airbus and Intelsat.
However, the problem with such charters is that one major new satellite constellation project that refuses to play along could make things difficult for everyone.
