Taking Garbage Outside: The Geostationary Orbit and Graveyard Orbits
- Paper number
IAC-06-E6.5.14
- Author
Dr. Martha Mejia-Kaiser, Independent Researcher, Germany
- Year
2006
- Abstract
The Geostationary Orbit has been recognized as a limited natural resource. Taking into consideration the dynamic development of technology and the finite nature of the geostationary ring, it is not possible to denominate a definitive number of orbital slots. In this limited space resource, there are currently about 350 operational satellites, distributed in an uneven way. The particular “stationary” position of satellites in this orbit makes it a commercially attractive resource, not only to governments but to the private sector. Geostationary satellites coming to the end-of-life must free their slot in order to leave it to the next satellite. But where are the decommissioned satellites going? This paper will address the concept of graveyard orbits and decommissioned geostationary satellites under the pertinent international space instruments. It will also address the drawbacks of the graveyard orbits concept, which is unacceptable to space operators.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-E6.5.14.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.