During the last decades scientists were able to gain vast knowledge about new possibilities for the exploration and uses of outer space.
However we have learnt that society has also responsibility in this respect:
Although outer space offers an almost unbelievable potential for space activities we know that this environment is extremely vulnerable and must be protected also for future generations. This became unmistakably clear through serious confrontation with the problem of “space debris”.
Let me explain: space debris are non-functional objects in outer space, regardless whether they are still intact or broken up to any size like deactivated satellites or parts thereof. They pose a threat for operational space systems since objects in outer space can reach extremely high velocities. Even small particles like a drop of water have such an impact that they can penetrate an American Silver Dollar when colliding with it. Since satellites have less compact walls they can easily be hit and penetrated. Even more vulnerable are astronauts on space-walks. A micro sized particle of paint hitting the space suit could lead to fatal consequences.
As to the so-called “debris population” in outer space ESA measurements showed already in 1988 that only 5% of more than 7000 trackable objects in orbits around the Earth were operational spacecraft.
Debris will ”vanish” only in Earth orbits at altitudes below approx. 1000 km within a couple of months or a year. Here space objects are dragged into the Earth´s atmosphere and burn up. Still, very large or compact structures may survive re-entry and fall on Earth or into the Sea.
In the Geostationary Orbit however the orbital lifetime of space debris may exceed millions of years since there is no aerodynamic drag of the residual atmosphere in this area. So debris remain in this orbit ”forever” at least from the point of view of human population and for future generations on Earth.
As to the effect of space debris it is established that they do not only pose a risk to space activities in the orbit where they were generated. For example: if an Earth orbit is polluted by a debris cloud (which is always spreading rapidly) access from the Earth to outer space can be in serious danger if space objects have to cross this orbit upon launch or re-entry. Then such an orbit can have the effect of ”barbed wire” around the Earth.
Statistically the risk of space debris is relatively small yet but will develop into a universal threat if it is not dealt with soon. National as well as international actors are already aware of the problem and work on solutions but globally coordinated efforts are necessary.
The UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space has also been studying this matter and adopted a Technical Report on Space Debris in 1999. Now the problem must also be dealt with from the legal point of view by elaborating guidelines with a universal approach, aiming at an international solution.
Dr.
Marietta
Edit
Benkoe
Attorney-at-Law
Institute of Air and Space Law, Cologne University
http://www.uni-koeln.de/jur-fak/instluft/mitarbeiter.html
Professional Category:
Legal
|
|
