[Via Satellite 12-31-13] Space debris is a serious problem for satellite operators. The growing number of current and anticipated satellites has compounded the issue, as no universal standard of behavior exists for satellite operators around the world. While the film \u201cGravity\u201d cast a spotlight on the issue, the Secure World Foundation has been dedicated to space situational awareness for several years. By working with agencies and companies, this organization has been pushing for a solution that will prevent space from becoming inaccessible.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the satellite industry, these are very valuable assets that you want to get full use of, and if you have to continually move and try for figure out where your asset is in relation to pieces of debris or other satellites, you\u2019re expending fuel, you\u2019re increasing costs and you\u2019re shortening the life of your satellite,\u201d Victoria Samson, Washington office director of the Secure World Foundation, told Via Satellite<\/i>. \u201cIt\u2019s really to the benefit of the satellite industry to have an open SSA situation because that way there are no surprises and you don\u2019t have to worry about being caught unawares about anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Most of the existing debris comes from long-term space faring nations. The reason orbital debris is such a problem is due to the Roche limit. Objects that remain close to a mass with a large gravitational signature do not possess enough gravity of their own to recollect when fragmented. As a result, derelict satellites break into multiple pieces and continue to splinter, making shards that are both dangerous and difficult to track. As new players in the space industry emerge annually, it is important for them to be aware how to prevent this problem from continuing further.<\/p>\n
\u201cClearly the ones who are preexisting stakeholders created the debris, so I\u2019m not pointing fingers at new space actors for the debris situation,\u201d said Samson. \u201cThe Bolivia example you gave is very interesting because they are working with an experienced space power: China,\u201d she said, commenting on our discussion. \u201cI think it\u2019s a relationship where one country\u2019s space capabilities help shape another country\u2019s. So this is a positive demonstration.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Samson, many nations have expressed interest in contributing to SSA solutions.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we\u2019re looking at it being a possibility over the next five years of it not just being the United States takes the data and gives it out to everyone else, but a more organic contributive process that has more countries and stakeholders involved,\u201d said Samson. \u201cWith more countries investing more money into space, they realize that they want to protect their investments. And then part of it is you have countries that are developing their own space capabilities and they\u2019re evolving to a point where they have something they can contribute. The United States and the Europeans are not the only players in town anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n
Corporations have also been involved. The Space Data Association, for example, was founded by Inmarsat, Intelsat and SES to share information relevant to safe satellite operations. The organization provides resources for satellite operators so they can avoid collisions with other satellites and orbital debris. Political bodies have also played a major part.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have a couple major international initiatives right now that are trying to establish best practices behaviors,\u201d said Samson. \u201cThose are really important. You have the international draft code of conduct. It\u2019s kind of a vanilla document; it\u2019s not really groundbreaking but it lays out everything that\u2019s considered responsible safe behavior. You have the United Nations group of governmental experts. They have a space transparency and confidence-building document; that\u2019s more from a security perspective but it also affects operators as well. And then you have the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space<\/b> (COPUOS) Long-Term Sustainability of Space Activities (LTSSA) working group.\u201d<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, there are many hurdles to mitigating the threat posed by existing debris. Methods of deorbiting dead or faulty satellites can also be used as weapons. Concerns over responsibility and sovereignty further complicate the issue.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s one of the things the SWF has been working on for the past year or so,\u201d said Samson. \u201cThere is a lot of discussion. Do we go after five big items a year or do we go after a few little things? Do we clean out certain orbits? Do we leave GEO alone? The policy and legal concerns are going to be huge. Anything that can take down a large piece of debris can also take down a satellite. How do you guarantee that you\u2019re not threatening other countries\u2019 assets? How do you make sure other stakeholders realize that activities are as innocuous as they probably are \u2026 and in the future are you liable if you don\u2019t take down your debris?\u201d<\/p>\n
The answers to these problems are difficult to pin down, but more frequent discussion has led both companies and policy makers closer to solutions. Whether or not the movie \u201cGravity\u201d is to thank cannot be said.<\/p>\n
\u201cLike anything, Hollywood helps and hurts,\u201d said Samson. \u201cBefore Gravity came out I always talked about the movie Wall-e. It\u2019s not correct, but it gets the point across. It\u2019s going to be a long-term process. It\u2019s going to take a while to figure these things out so we might as well get started now.\u201d<\/p>\n
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