Sustainability in Orbit: Dealing with Space Junk Before It Becomes Unmanageable

Introduction: The Price of Progress

Space has never been busier. Over 7,500 active satellites orbit Earth today—and more than 60,000 are expected by 2030 as Starlink, Kuiper, OneWeb, and others expand their mega-constellations.

But every launch, every failed satellite, and every piece of shrapnel from a collision leaves behind a legacy: space junk.

• Inactive satellites

• Spent rocket bodies

• Fragments from explosions and collisions

• Loose bolts, tools, and paint flakes

Together, these form a cloud of debris circling Earth at speeds over 27,000 km/h—each piece capable of destroying functional spacecraft on impact.

Without intervention, we face the risk of Kessler Syndrome—a runaway cascade of collisions that could render key orbits unusable for decades.

The Scale of the Problem

• 36,000+ objects over 10 cm are actively tracked.

• 1 million+ fragments between 1–10 cm are estimated to be in orbit.

• 100 million+ micro-debris particles (<1 cm) are untraceable but still dangerous.

Most debris resides in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), the zone used for:

• Satellite broadband (Starlink, OneWeb)

• Earth observation (climate, agriculture, defence)

• GNSS augmentation and IoT

• Future 6G space-based networks

Collisions are already happening:

• 2009: Iridium–Cosmos collision created >2,000 trackable fragments.

• 2021: Russian ASAT test shattered a satellite, forcing ISS astronauts to shelter.

Causes of Space Debris

1. Dead Satellites

   • Thousands of defunct spacecraft remain in orbit indefinitely.

2. Rocket Stages

   • Upper stages often left to drift post-deployment.

3. Explosions

   • Residual fuel or battery failures cause older spacecraft to detonate.

4. ASAT Weapons

   • Deliberate destruction by kinetic energy weapons (Russia, China, US, India).

5. Operator Negligence

   • Lack of active deorbit plans or failure to follow best practices.

Solutions Under Development

1. Deorbit Technologies

• Drag sails and tethers to accelerate orbital decay.

• Ion propulsion modules for controlled re-entry.

• Passive aerodynamic shaping to maximise atmospheric drag.

2. Active Debris Removal (ADR)

• Robotic arms and nets to capture large defunct satellites.

• Laser nudging to alter debris trajectories.

• Harpoons and magnetic capture devices for targeted clean-up.

3. AI-Based Collision Avoidance

• Machine learning to predict future conjunctions more accurately.

• Cross-validation with military and commercial tracking data.

4. Better Design Standards

• Modular components for on-orbit servicing.

• Explosion-proof fuel tanks and battery shielding.

• “Design for demise” principles to ensure burn-up on re-entry.

Regulatory & Policy Frameworks

United Nations (UNCOPUOS)

• Guidelines for long-term sustainability of outer space.

• Non-binding, but form basis for national regulations.

US Regulations

• FCC now requires LEO operators to deorbit within 5 years (down from 25).

• NOAA and FAA coordinating debris compliance for commercial launches.

Europe

• ESA promoting “Zero Debris Charter” across public and private operators.

• CNES (France) and UKSA (UK) require pre-launch end-of-life plans.

Middle East

• UAE Space Agency exploring orbital sustainability as part of long-term strategy.

• Saudi Arabia engaging in international dialogue through IAF and UN tracks.

Commercial Incentives & Insurance Pressure

Insurers are beginning to penalise poor orbital hygiene:

• Higher premiums for operators with weak deorbit plans.

• Refusal to insure second-tier rideshare launches with no return strategy.

• Demand for proof of debris avoidance systems for mega-constellations.

Investors are also applying ESG criteria to space:

• “Sustainable space” now a differentiator in funding and partnerships.

• Earth observation, climate monitoring, and broadband delivery depend on orbital resilience.

What Operators Must Do

1. Embed Sustainability from Design Stage

   • Design satellites for early deorbit or reusability.

2. Participate in Debris Monitoring

   • Share SSA data and adopt cooperative tracking tools.

3. Incentivise Clean Orbits

   • Collaborate on ADR projects.

   • Explore orbital tax models (pay-per-km/year).

4. Engage in Policy Forums

   • Influence upcoming treaties and regulatory standards.

   • Ensure industry voices shape feasible solutions.

Strategic Takeaways for Boards

• Liability Risk: Future collisions may result in fines, litigation, and reputational damage.

• License to Operate: Debris mitigation is becoming a condition for orbital access.

• Sustainability Reporting: Orbital behaviour will factor into ESG scores and investor relations.

• Partnership Opportunity: Early movers in sustainability can become ADR service providers or data vendors.

Conclusion: Sustainability is the New Spectrum

In the past, telecom operators competed for bandwidth and orbital slots. In the future, they will compete for sustainable orbital access. Without action, the business model for LEO broadband, GNSS augmentation, and Earth observation collapses under its own debris.

The time for strategic leadership is now. Sustainability in orbit is not an environmental concern—it is a business imperative.