Defining Space Debris and Legal Ambiguities
- Lack of universal legal definition: Space debris remains undefined in binding international treaties.
- Common working definitions:
- Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) and UN COPUOS define space debris as non-functional man-made objects in orbit or re-entering Earth’s atmosphere.
- Legal classification challenge: Disputes hinge on whether debris qualifies as a “space object” under the 1972 Liability Convention.
Relevance : GS 3(Science)
International Legal Framework Governing Space Debris
- Outer Space Treaty (1967) – Article VI:
- States bear responsibility for all national space activities, including those conducted by private entities.
- 1972 Liability Convention:
- Absolute liability applies to damage caused by space objects on Earth (no proof of negligence required).
- Challenge: When debris is no longer under a state’s jurisdiction, enforcement becomes difficult.
Challenges in Enforcing Liability
- Diplomatic settlements are slow and inadequate:
- Example: Canada recovered only $3 million of the $6 million spent cleaning up after the Soviet Cosmos 954 satellite crash in 1978.
- Attribution difficulties:
- Advanced tracking helps identify some debris, but older and highly fragmented objects are difficult to trace.
- Timeframe limitations:
- Can a launching state still be liable decades later if a defunct satellite fragment causes damage?
Growing Risks of Uncontrolled Reentries
- Increased space activity → Higher frequency of falling debris.
- Major incidents:
- Dec 2024, Kenya: 500 kg separation ring crashed.
- July 2024, China: Long March 5B rocket stage uncontrolled reentry into the Pacific.
- 2022, Australia: SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule debris crash.
- Case of SpaceX Falcon 9 in Poland (2024):
- The FAA disclaimed responsibility once SpaceX lost control of the rocket.
- Lack of binding rules: No penalties for uncontrolled reentries unless damage occurs.
Gaps in Governance and Accountability
- No clear international enforcement mechanism for post-launch debris.
- Most countries have voluntary compliance:
- UN’s 25-year deorbit rule sees only 30% compliance.
- Mega-constellations (Starlink, Kuiper, OneWeb) worsening the problem:
- 100,000+ satellites projected by 2030 → More debris accumulation & reentry risks.
What Needs to Change?
- Mandatory international regulations for controlled reentries.
- COPUOS must push for legally binding global agreements.
- National-level policies:
- Enforce debris mitigation as a condition for launch licenses.
- Stronger tracking systems:
- Expand systems like U.S. Space Fence to improve monitoring and debris attribution.
- Sustainable space practices:
- Incentivize reusable rockets and debris-neutral technologies.
- Modernizing the 1972 Liability Convention:
- Create an independent international tribunal with binding enforcement powers.
