The growing threat of space debris is a pressing concern, demanding immediate action, according to a panel discussion at Space Tech Expo Europe. Improved sensor capabilities, closing data gaps, implementing economic incentives, and developing new technologies are all crucial steps.

With approximately one million objects between 1 and 10 centimeters orbiting Earth, the issue poses a significant risk to the burgeoning space economy. The increasing number of satellites and megaconstellations exacerbates the problem, raising the complexity of orbital operations and creating risks to satellites, global economies, and security systems.

Congestion in key orbital bands, especially LEO, has led to a surge in collision avoidance maneuvers. Companies like SpaceX undertake thousands annually, impacting the operational environment. Thomas Eggenweiler of Neuraspace noted, “Orbit raising used to be a piece of cake in the past, but now a lot of our customers are transitioning through what we call the Starlink wall. So this is really navigating through the jungle.”

Events like satellite and rocket stage fragmentations worsen the situation. Five fragmentation events have occurred since June alone. The ability to accurately track debris and issue warnings is paramount for space situational awareness (SSA), yet significant data gaps exist. Current sensors struggle with smaller objects, and data sharing is limited.

Juan Carlos Dolado Perez of Look Up Space emphasized the need for “sensors which are sensitive enough to detect small objects,” suggesting a few centimeters for LEO and around 20 cm for geostationary orbit. He highlighted the importance of speed: “We need a small time between detection and the moment we need the data, to process that data and to provide the information.”

The legal framework is struggling to keep up. Stela Tkatchova advocated for a shorter deorbiting requirement, stating, “On the regulatory part, it should be five years for the deorbiting requirement. I think 25 years is ridiculously high.” Andrew Faiola of Astroscale stressed the need for “incentives for responsible behavior, not just penalties for bad behavior.”

Solutions include active debris removal (ADR), AI, automation, and regulation. However, the business case remains a challenge. Faiola pointed out that debris removal reduces costs by extending satellite lifespans, urging government investment to catalyze the market.

Tkatchova suggested exploring solar power, solar sails, and propellantless propulsion for debris removal, minimizing atmospheric pollution. Eggenweiler added, “The rules of the road need to be improved…we need more and better data…and our satellites have less collision avoidance intelligence than our cars.” Perez agreed, highlighting the need to fill data gaps and address technical, technological, and regulatory aspects within five years. Faiola concluded that losing this invisible infrastructure would be devastating.

Ultimately, effective space debris management requires a unified approach encompassing regulation, innovation, and economic strategies.