How Can We Justify Debris Mitigation and Removal Cost?

Paper number

IAC-14,A6,8,1,x22462

Author

Prof. Tetsuo Yasaka, QPS Institute, Japan

Year

2014

Abstract

People were reluctant, in 1990’s, to implement debris mitigation measures, either in launch vehicles or satellites, because of the fear to lessen international competitiveness.  After adoption of mitigation guidelines at various levels, it became common that related mitigation cost was included in respective program budget.   In principle, debris mitigation in future will be guaranteed by respective program.  However large defunct objects already in orbit belong to past programs to which mitigation guidelines naturally are not applicable.  Debris removal for re mediating the orbital environment has to be treated differently from mitigation.  

The basic principle is that negation of the issue brings forth grave disadvantage to future mankind which would be far beyond representation by any cost estimation.   It is also true that government agencies and private companies cannot justify any budget to deal with non-specified future deficit.  

The paper discusses these inconsistent environment and tries to establish a new scheme to deal with object removal from earth orbit.

Abstract document

IAC-14,A6,8,1,x22462.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-14,A6,8,1,x22462.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.