ABSTRACT

Containing the Cosmic Crisis: A Proposal for Curbing the Perils of Space Debris

By Jennifer M. Seymour

This note describes the hazards posed by space debris and proposes mitigation measures to address this problem. The note describes what space debris is, the amounts of debris currently in space and the risks of collision posed by such debris which include environmental disruption, disruption of satellite telecommunications and future limitations on human space exploration.

The author reviews both international and U.S. domestic law which have some application to the space debris, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive international approach to address the problems associated with space debris. The note describes current proposals for the creation of a U.N. legal instrument to address the space debris problem as well as the lengthy time frames anticipated for the completion of an international instrument. The author therefore proposes that the United States take a leadership role, given its existing regulatory framework and role as one of the world's foremost spacefaring nations, in implementing debris minimization policies and practices which can become a model for a future international regime.