New Solutions for the Space Debris Problem

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xi

   PDF

2. Introduction

   • Joseph N. Pelton

   Pages 1-9

3. Current Space Debris Remediation and On-Orbit Servicing Initiatives

   • Joseph N. Pelton

   Pages 11-29

4. Exploring New Approaches and Solutions to the Orbital Space Debris Problem

   • Joseph N. Pelton

   Pages 31-38

5. Examining the Case for Active Orbital Debris Removal

   • Joseph N. Pelton

   Pages 39-51

6. New Technological Approaches to Orbital Debris Remediation

   • Joseph N. Pelton

   Pages 53-68

7. Legal Challenges Related to Active Orbital Debris Removal

   • Joseph N. Pelton

   Pages 69-79

8. New Ways Forward: A Program of Action for Orbital Space Debris

   • Joseph N. Pelton

   Pages 81-84

9. Top Ten Things to Know About Active Debris Removal

   • Joseph N. Pelton

   Pages 85-88

10. Back Matter

    Pages 89-94

    PDF

Addressing a pressing issue in space policy, Pelton explores the new forms of technology that are being developed to actively remove the defunct space objects from orbit and analyzes their implications in the existing regime of international space law and public international law. This authoritative review covers the due diligence guidelines that nations are using to minimize the generation of new debris, mandates to de-orbit satellites at end of life, and innovative endeavours to remove non-functional satellites, upper stage rockets and other large debris from orbit under new institutional, financial and regulatory guidelines.  Commercial space services currently exceed 100 billion USD business per annum, but the alarming proliferation in the population of orbital debris in low, medium and geosynchronous satellite orbits poses a serious threat to all kinds of space assets and applications. There is a graver concern that the existing space debris will begin to collide in a cascading manner, generating further debris, which is known as the Kessler Syndrome. Scientific analysis has indicated an urgent need to perform space debris remediation through active removal of debris and on-orbit satellite servicing.

• De-orbiting Satellites
• Debris in Space
• International Space Law
• Kessler Syndrome
• Removal of Non-functioning Satellites
• Removal of Space Debris
• Responsibility for Space Debris
• Space Junk Solution
• Space Propulsion and Transportation
• Space Sustainability
• Space Systems Engineering
• Space Technology Due Diligence

• Executive Board, International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety (IAASS), Arlington, USA

  Joseph N. Pelton

Joseph N. Pelton is Former Dean of the International Space University, the Vice Chairman and Founder of the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation, a Former Director of Strategic Policy at INTELSAT, Associate Fellow AIAA, and a Member of the International Academy of Astronautics among many other positions and honors.

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