In almost 60 years of space activities, more than 5 200 launches have placed some 7 500 satellites into orbit – about 4 300 remain in space. Space is becoming like the most congested highway on Earth with the possibility of collisions increasing exponentially.
ESA, which represents 22 member states, is leading multiple global efforts to address the growing accumulation of space junk, fragments of defunct satellites, rocket stages and other remnants left from past missions, which threaten the safety of operational satellites in orbit.
ESA director general Josef Aschbacher revealed that 110 countries and entities have already committed to ESA’s Zero Debris charter, which sets a target of preventing new space debris generation by 2030. However, SpaceX, with Starlink satellites now comprising approximately two-thirds of active satellites in low Earth orbit, has not yet signed the agreement.
The company has also not yet provided a public response regarding its potential participation in the initiative. US Space Force estimates show that there are approximately 10 300 active satellites in Earth’s orbit with around 6 300 belonging to SpaceX’s Starlink project.
In addition to SpaceX, other companies and nations are launching their own satellite constellations. China has begun deploying its own networks to rival Starlink while Amazon plans to launch over 3 000 satellites for its Kuiper constellation by the end of the decade. Notably, Amazon has already committed to the Zero Debris charter.
According to Harvard astronomer Jonathan McDowell, there are currently 18 897 pieces of trackable space junk orbiting the planet. While the terms “space debris” and “space junk” are often used interchangeably, some experts differentiate them: space junk typically includes inactive satellites and defunct rocket stages while debris refers more specifically to fragments from shattered spacecraft. Despite growing awareness, there are still no binding international laws governing space debris management. However, individual nations and space agencies are gradually introducing new regulations and guidelines to address the issue.
Missile tests and the threat of space debris
Although SpaceX is subject to US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations requiring its Starlink satellites to de-orbit within five years after their operational lifespan ends, the broader problem of space debris is exacerbated by other factors such as missile tests. These tests have historically contributed to the swelling debris fields in space. For instance, in August 2023, a Chinese rocket body broke apart after colliding with space junk, producing one of the largest debris clouds in recent history.
Earlier incidents have also greatly expanded the amount of debris in orbit. NASA reports that two major events, China’s 2007 missile destruction of the Fengyun-1C satellite and the 2009 collision between US and Russian satellites, accounted for a 70% increase in trackable debris. In 2021, a Russian anti-satellite missile test added at least 1 500 new pieces of debris –some remain in orbit. Similar tests conducted by India in 2019 and the US in 2008 have further contributed to the growing clutter around Earth.
In response to the rising dangers, the Biden administration has pushed for a moratorium on anti-satellite missile tests, garnering support from several countries. However, Russia and China, two of the largest contributors to the debris problem, have yet to join this moratorium.
Future implications
Managing the proliferation of space debris has become a critical issue for the industry. With the rapid growth of satellite mega-constellations like Starlink and Kuiper, the likelihood of collisions increases exponentially, threatening not only individual satellites but also the overall space infrastructure. The risk of cascading collisions, known as the “Kessler Syndrome”, is larger than ever.
The technological race to address space junk has spurred the development of cutting-edge solutions, including debris-tracking systems and active debris removal technologies. Companies are exploring ways to capture or push defunct satellites and debris out of orbit using robotic arms, harpoons and even lasers. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are being used to improve collision detection systems, enabling satellites to automatically avoid incoming debris.
In future, space agencies and private entities will likely be compelled to work more closely to create a unified, legally binding approach to space debris. Technological solutions and international cooperation will be key to preventing a potential crisis in orbit, ensuring the benefits of space exploration and satellite deployment continue to outweigh the risks.
References: Alius Noreika and Technoly.org
