BENGALURU (Reuters) - Experts warn that the rapid increase in satellites and space debris will render low Earth orbit unusable without international cooperation and data sharing. A United Nations panel on space traffic coordination, convened in late October, emphasized the need for a comprehensive database of orbital objects and an international framework for their management.
Currently, over 14,000 satellites, including approximately 3,500 inactive ones, orbit the Earth in low Earth orbit, along with about 120 million pieces of debris. Only a few thousand of these debris fragments are large enough to be tracked. Aarti Holla-Maini, co-chair of the panel and director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, stated, 'There's no time to lose on space traffic coordination.'
She highlighted the importance of maintaining safety in low Earth orbit to prevent disruptions to global communication and navigation technologies. However, the absence of a centralized system for space-faring nations poses significant challenges. Nations are reluctant to share data due to security concerns, particularly since many satellites serve dual purposes, including defense.
The situation is exacerbated by recent incidents, such as the explosion of a Chinese rocket stage in August, which added thousands of debris fragments to orbit, and a defunct Russian satellite explosion in June that forced astronauts on the International Space Station to take shelter.
Data from Slingshot Aerospace indicates a 17% increase in close approaches per satellite over the past year. Projections suggest tens of thousands more satellites will be launched in the coming years, with potential collision costs estimated at $556 million over five years.
Stewart Bain, CEO of NorthStar Earth & Space, warned that the growing congestion in low Earth orbit could soon exceed its capacity. The European Space Agency reported an increase in collision-avoidance maneuvers, with SpaceX's Starlink satellites performing nearly 50,000 such maneuvers in the first half of 2024 alone.
As the U.N. panel prepares to present its findings at an upcoming committee meeting, experts stress the necessity of global cooperation to establish enforceable rules for space traffic management. The urgency of addressing these challenges cannot be overstated, as geopolitical tensions and data-sharing reluctance continue to hinder progress.