Concretising the Implementation of Space Debris Mitigation and Re-Mediation Guidelines: Lessons Learnt from the Protection of the Earth’s Environment
- Paper number
IAC-09.A6.5.4
- Author
Dr. Gérardine Meishan Goh, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Germany
- Year
2009
- Abstract
The recent collision between the functioning Iridium-33 and the non-functioning Cosmos-2251 satellites bring the issue of space debris into sharp focus. The formulation and adoption of the Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines was certainly one small step for the international community, and a giant leap for the sustainable use of the outer space environment. However, space debris mitigation is only the first step in what promises to be a long and arduous process: without re-mediation of space debris, it is likely that accidents such as the Iridium-33-Cosmos-2251 collision will continue to occur. In this context, this paper addresses the international obligation, or lack thereof, for the implementation of the Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines. It then looks at the possibility to create standards for the re-mediation of the space environment. Drawing lessons from standards implemented for the sustainable use and protection of the Earth environment, this paper critically analyses actions that exist already or are in preparation at the international level for space debris mitigation and re-mediation. It concludes with a modest proposal as to the concrete implementation of mitigation and re-mediation standards and guidelines.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)