Newswise — The threat from orbital debris is a growing international concern. Finding the steps that can be taken to help reduce this menacing problem has brought together leading experts from around the world.
NASA and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) have organized the first ever international conference devoted solely to the subject of orbital debris removal. The NASA/DARPA meeting was held this week, December 8-10, in Chantilly, Virginia.
Taking part in this seminal gathering is Brian Weeden, Secure World Foundation’s Technical Advisor, providing an authoritative look at the policy issues of active debris removal and the opportunity for leadership and cooperation.
Not just a technical problem
“Orbital debris is a global problem that poses a threat to the use of space by all States. Actively removing orbital debris is part of solving this problem, but it is by its nature a global solution that requires international cooperation and transparency,” Weeden said.
As invited speaker to the three-day international conference, Weeden has noted that orbital debris removal is not just a technical problem. “The economic costs of removing objects need to be compared to the risk they pose to active spacecraft, and there are large legal and political issues to tackle as well,” he advised.
Weeden observed that recent studies and research by NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) have indicated that removing a handful of objects per year could be enough to stabilize the growth of orbital debris.
“The next step in active debris removal is to figure out which objects should be initially targeted and how best to remove them,” Weeden said. However, an essential aspect to begin moving forward on active debris removal, he said, is doing so within a multidisciplinary and international context.
Highlighted within Weeden’s presentation -- Active Debris Removal: An Opportunity for Leadership and Cooperation – he noted:
-- There needs to be general international agreement and transparency on the technical merits of removing from Earth orbit space objects in general.
-- An important element of active space debris removal is general international agreement and transparency on which objects are selected for elimination.
-- Lack of consensus or buy-in could lead to perception that objects are being selected for removal because of political motivation.
Steps ahead
“A particular point of discussion among the conference attendees has been the economic mechanisms that could provide free market incentives for debris removal,” Weeden said.
One concept discussed was that of a “deposit” paid on satellites when they are launched, akin to the deposit on cans and bottles. “If a satellite owner-operator or third party then removed the satellite from orbit, it gets the deposit back,” Weeden added. Other notions involving economics included a view of expanding the role of the insurance industry.
At the NASA/DARPA meeting, Weeden explained that a key step forward is bringing together legal and technical experts to start discussing the problem of legal definitions and sovereignty. “Tackling the issue of who owns which piece and potentially transferring that ownership is essential,” he stated.
For the full briefing given by Weeden -- Active Debris Removal: An Opportunity for Leadership and Cooperation – it can be viewed by going to this special link on the Secure World Foundation website:
http://www.secureworldfoundation.org/siteadmin/images/files/file_415.pdf
Reporter Information:
For additional information on orbital debris and steps needed regarding its reduction, please contact:
Brian WeedenTechnical AdvisorSecure World FoundationPhone: +1 (514) 466-2756 CanadaPhone: +1 (202) 683-8534 USEmail: [email protected]
Secure World Foundation
Secure World Foundation (SWF) is headquartered in Superior, Colorado, with offices in Washington, D.C. and Vienna, Austria. SWF is a private operating foundation dedicated to the secure and sustainable use of space for the benefit of Earth and all its peoples.
SWF engages with academics, policy makers, scientists and advocates in the space and international affairs communities to support steps that strengthen global space security. It promotes the development of cooperative and effective use of space for the protection of Earth’s environment and human security.
The Foundation acts as a research body, convener and facilitator to advocate for key space security and other space related topics and to examine their influence on governance and international development.
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