Global efforts in space debris mitigation are gaining traction. Their ongoing evolution is marked by increasing stringency and expanding scope of international instruments. However, fragmentation and limited coordination hinder effective implementation.
In recent years, the issue of space debris and related safety and sustainability challenges have gained significant global attention, including in non-space communities. This report offers a comparative analysis of key international instruments aimed at mitigating space debris, enhanced by detailed insights on their evolution.
In particular:
- The report reveals an expanding globally shared effort to address the risks and hazards posed by the proliferation of space debris. This momentum is particularly visible in the past five years;
- The analysis notes increasing presence of stricter guidelines, such as shorter orbital lifetimes after spacecraft’s end-of-life, increased positional accuracy or improved processes for collision avoidance;
- At the same time, the report highlights a lack of broad international alignment on concrete implementation pathways and a fragmented landscape of a multitude of frameworks with heterogenous involvement.
In looking ahead, the study also:
- discusses the challenge of ensuring a balanced regulatory environment that encourages innovation while enhancing safety;
- argues for shifting the broader narrative in space safety and sustainability towards a more positive and enabling outlook;
- calls European stakeholders to seize the opportunity for Europe’s global leadership in space safety and sustainability.
