Space debris: a pending challenge

Abstract

The increase in human activities in space brought enormous benefits to humanity. However, as a counterpart, access to that space is increasingly jeopardized and the risk of accidents caused by the so-called space debris grows. As a corollary of Kessler syndrome or ablation cascade, the concept of "the tragedy of the commons" determines that a shared natural resource for collective use, by prioritizing the individual interest over the general interest in its utilization and exploitation, can be destroyed or depleted in the long term. Essential components of the response to these challenges are, in the first place, the development of an adequate legal framework that based on general international law, space law, and international environmental law, addresses the stages of prevention and reparation. In the second place, the establishment of a fund and a control agency, and a comprehensive insurance system that openly promotes mitigation, should be implemented.