Space Debris

Recently, a 500 kg metal object fell in Kenya, believed to be a separation ring from a space-bound rocket.

• Similar incidents have occurred in the US, Australia, and Poland, raising concerns over space debris and governance issues.
• About Space Debris: It consists of spent rocket stages, dead satellites, fragments of space objects, and debris resulting from Anti-Satellite (ASAT) systems.

o Risks: Objects in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) travel at 27,000 kph, posing a severe risk to satellites. Even centimetre-sized fragments can be fatal in collisions.

o Sources: All space junk originates from objects launched from Earth and remains in orbit until it re-enters the atmosphere.

o Debris-Free Space Missions: India aims for debris-free space missions by all governmental and non-governmental actors by 2030.

• About Space Debris Law: No universally accepted legal definition in international treaties. The UN COPUOS defines it as all non-functional man-made objects in orbit or re-entering the atmosphere.

o Liability Concerns: The 1972 Liability Convention covers space objects, but legal disputes arise over whether debris qualifies as a space object.

o Outer Space Treaty 1967: Article VI states that states are responsible for all national space activities, whether by government or private entities.

o Absolute Liability: The 1972 Convention imposes absolute liability on launching states for damage caused by space objects on Earth, without requiring proof of negligence.

• About Zero Debris Charter: Introduced by European Space Agency (ESA) at the ESA Space Summit (November 2023, Seville).

o Objective: To achieve zero space debris by 2030 and ensure the sustainability of space activities.

o Global Collaboration: The first international initiative uniting space actors for debris mitigation.

o Non-Legally Binding: Encourages voluntary compliance but lacks legal enforcement.