‘Tragedy of the commons’ in space: We need to act now to prevent an orbital debris crisis, scientists say

[Admin]

Humanity needs to address the growing space junk problem now, before it gets completely out of hand, scientists stress.

‘Tragedy of the commons’ in space: We need to act now to prevent an orbital debris crisis, scientists say : Read more

 

[Meteoric Marmot]

Spaceballs have the answer.

 

[HumboldtRick]

First step: stop Musk from launching all those little Starlink pieces of junk.

 

[Hildy]

One problem that is not mentioned is parking orbits, where satellites that as decommissioned are relocated to. All satellites should be required to be designed for earth reentry and the parking orbit intact satellites should be prioritized for removal.

 

[Aplu]

I've been suggesting for quite some time now, that the international maritime salvage legal regime be adapted to earth orbit, since there's been quite a bit of talk about equipment for de-orbiting space debris, or more specifically, space junk - satellites that have passed their use-by date and are now defunct. But nobody seems to care.

 

[Unclear Engineer]

Allowing salvage in space might be what is needed for the actual owners to get their defunct stuff out of orbit. The "salvage" would most likely actually be done to acquire and investigate the technology of rivals. So, at least those who do no t want their "secrets" revealed might choose to avoid the salvage by others, and take care of their junk themselves.

 

[Rob77]

Who is this "we" the scientists keep referring to? Can't they just point the finger at those responsible - every space organization that has launched something into space.

 

[COLGeek]

Just remember..."we" is everybody else but "me". That is the root of this and many problems.

 

[Meteoric Marmot]

Allowing salvage in space might be what is needed for the actual owners to get their defunct stuff out of orbit. The "salvage" would most likely actually be done to acquire and investigate the technology of rivals. So, at least those who do no t want their "secrets" revealed might choose to avoid the salvage by others, and take care of their junk themselves.

Satellites old enough to be defunct are unlikely to harbour any tech that is relevant. Satellites typically spend several years in development and then a decade or more on orbit. That's eons in the tech world.