Space debris as a threat to space sustainability
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29015/cerem.967Słowa kluczowe:
Space debris, Space sustainability, Satellite, Debris mitigationAbstrakt
Aim: The issue of space debris (or space junk) is an important aspect of the sustainability of space. If not properly managed, the accumulation of space debris could make some orbital paths too dangerous to use, potentially limiting our ability to explore and utilize space. This study aims to gain a better understanding of the space debris problem.
Design / Research methods: This article is based on a review of official statistics, policy papers, and media coverage related to the topic of space debris.
Findings: The data shows that intentional and non-intentional debris-creating events are still occurring. The increasing amount of debris brings higher risks to functional satellites and missions. While there are new projects to mitigate debris, these are challenging to put into action due to their high cost and high level of technology.
Originality: This paper presents an overview of the space debris problem in the context of the sustainability of space, by focusing on legal and technological aspects. The paper also touches upon different ways to mitigate space debris.
JEL: Q56, Q57
Bibliografia
Ackerman E. (2021), Proposal would put laser cannon on ISS to blast space junk, https://spectrum.ieee.org/proposal-would-put-laser-cannon-on-iss-to-blast-space-junk [09.03.2023].
Aganaba-Jeanty T. (2016), Space sustainability and the freedom of outer space, “Astropolitics”, vol. 14 no. 1, pp. 1–19, https://doi.org/10.1080/14777622.2016.1148463 [09.03.2023].
BBC News (2012), ISS crew take to escape capsules in space junk alert, BBC News, 24 March, https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-17497766 [09.03.2023].
Bekey I. (1997), Project Orion. Orbital debris removal using ground-based sensors and lasers, Proceedings of the Second European Conference on Space Debris, ESOC.
Bombardelli C., Pelaez J. (2011), Ion Beam Shepherd for contactless space debris removal, “Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics”, vol. 34 no. 3, pp. 916–920, https://doi.org/10.2514/1.51832 [09.02.2023].
Business Insider (2021), Elon Musk says Starlink satellites have had to dodge debris from Russia’s anti-satellite missile test, 30 November, https://www.businessinsider.com/musk-says-starlink-satellites-dodged-russian-missile-test-debris-2021-11?IR=T [09.02.2023].
Carpineti A. (2016), Space debris has chipped one of the ISS’s windows, IFLScience, 15 May, https://www.iflscience.com/space-debris-has-chipped-one-isss-windows-35668 [09.02.2023].
Cheney T., Newman Ch., Olsson-Francis K., Steele S., Pearson V., Lee S. (2020), Planetary protection in the new space era: science and governance, “Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences”, vol. 7, https://doi.org/10.3389/fspas.2020.589817 [09.02.2023].
Clark S. (2018), Eliminating space junk could take step toward reality with station cargo launch, https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/04/01/eliminating-space-junk-could-take-step-toward-reality-with-station-cargo-launch/ [09.02.2023].
Devlin H. (2019), European Space Agency to launch space debris collector in 2025, The Guardian, 9 December, https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/dec/09/european-space-agency-to-launch-clearspace-1-space-debris-collector-in-2025.
ESA (2022), Space debris by the numbers, https://www.esa.int/Space_Safety/Space_Debris/Space_debris_by_the_numbers [31.12.2022].
Hardin G. (1968), The tragedy of the commons, “Science”, vol. 162 no. 3859, pp. 1243–1248, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.162.3859.1243 [09.02.2023].
Harwood W. (2009), FAA warns of possible falling satellite debris, Spaceflight Now, https://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0902/15debris/ [09.03.2023].
Kessler D.J., Cour-Palais B.G. (1978), Collision frequency of artificial satellites. The creation of a debris belt, “Journal of Geophysical Research”, vol. 83 no. A6, p. 2637, https://doi.org/10.1029/ja083ia06p02637 [09.02.2023].
López L.D. (2016), Space sustainability approaches of emerging space nations: Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico, “Space Policy”, vol. 37 part 1, pp. 24–29, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spacepol.2015.12.004 [09.02.2023].
May Ch. (2021), Game changer. Triggers and effects of an active debris removal market | Aerospace Center for Space Policy and Strategy, https://csps.aerospace.org/papers/game-changer-triggers-and-effects-active-debris-removal-market [09.02.2023].
Naval Research Laboratory (2018), Vanguard I celebrates 50 years in space, https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/922214 [09.03.2023].
Newman C.J., Williamson M. (2018), Space sustainability: reframing the debate, “Space Policy”, vol. 46, pp. 30–37, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spacepol.2018.03.001 [09.02.2023].
O’Neill I. (2017), A Japanese space junk removal experiment has failed in orbit, Space.com, 1 February, https://www.space.com/35543-space-junk-japan-tether-experiment-space-station-htv.html [09.02.2023].
Ostrom E. (2015), Governing the commons, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Pardini C., Anselmo L. (2009), Assessment of the consequences of the Fengyun-1C breakup in low Earth orbit, “Advances in Space Research”, vol. 44 no. 5, pp. 545–557, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2009.04.014 [09.02.2023].
Stirone S. (2021), This is where the international space station will go to die, Popular Science, 26 April, https://www.popsci.com/this-is-where-international-space-station-will-go-to-die/ [09.03.2023].
SWF (Secure World Foundation) (2014), Space sustainability: a practical guide, https://swfound.org/media/121399/swf_space_sustainability-a_practical_guide_2014__1_.pdf [09.03.2023].
Undseth M., Jolly C., Olivari M. (2020), Space sustainability. The economics of space debris in perspective, OECD Science, Technology and Industry Policy Papers, no. 87, OECD Publishing, Paris.
United States Space Command (2021), Russian direct-ascent anti-satellite missile test creates significant, long-lasting space debris, https://www.spacecom.mil/Newsroom/News/Article-Display/Article/2842957/russian-direct-ascent-anti-satellite-missile-test-creates-significant-long-last/ [09.03.2023].
UNOOSA (1967), Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/introouterspacetreaty.html [31.12.2022].
UNOOSA (1971), Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects, https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/introliability-convention.html [31.12.2022].
Wertz J., Everett D., Puschell J. (eds.) (2011), Space mission engineering. The new SMAD, Space Technology Library, vol. 28, Microcosm Press, Cleveland.
Pobrania
Opublikowane
Numer
Dział
Licencja
Prawa autorskie (c) 2023 Wyższa Szkoła Bankowa we Wrocławiu
Utwór dostępny jest na licencji Creative Commons Uznanie autorstwa – Użycie niekomercyjne – Bez utworów zależnych 4.0 Międzynarodowe.
Autor przenosi nieodpłatnie na Wyższą Szkołę Bankową we Wrocławiu , bez ograniczeń terytorialnych, majątkowe prawa autorskie do tego utworu w rozumieniu ustawy z dnia 4 lutego 1994 roku o prawie autorskim i prawach pokrewnych ( Dz.U. 1994, Nr 24, poz. 83 ze zm. )na zasadzie wyłączności, tj. prawo do:
a) wyłącznego używania i wykorzystania utworu w dowolnej działalności przez Wyższą Szkołę Bankową we Wrocławiu, w szczególności w działalność Biblioteki Cyfrowej uruchomionej przez Wyższą Szkołę Bankową we Wrocławiu
b) wytwarzania, utrwalania i zwielokrotniania egzemplarzy utworów wszelkimi technikami, w tym techniką drukarską, reprograficzną, zapisu magnetycznego oraz techniką cyfrową, w szczególności ich zwielokrotniania poprzez dokonywanie zapisów na płytach typu CD,
c) zamieszczenia wybranych fragmentów utworu w celach promocyjnych w publikacjach, materiałach promocyjnych, w sieci Internet oraz sieciach wewnętrznych typu Intranet Wyższej Szkoły Bankowej we Wrocławiu,
d) wprowadzania utworu do pamięci komputera Wyższej Szkoły Bankowej we Wrocławiu,
e) kopiowania i powielania utworu w technologiach fotomechanicznych lub innych znanych w dniu zawarcia umowy (fotokopie, kserokopie itp.),
f) przetworzenia dzieła na formę elektroniczną i nieograniczonego rozpowszechniania w sieci Internet.
