First and most importantly, we need tighter rules and regulations for space debris. These rules must be enforced internationally by an organization that has the ability and authority to monitor the international space environment and impose sanctions or fines in the event of violations. In the interest of equal rights for all space-faring nations, the problem of space debris must be tackled together at its root and solved in a sustainable manner over the long term. National go-it-alone efforts, however well-intentioned, make little sense. Everyone needs to work together and clearly regulate how much space debris an individual organization can produce, how long an object can stay where in orbit, and how and when it must be removed. Internationally recognized institutions must be established or expanded in their competencies to take on this responsibility. In addition, they must oversee the efforts of all spacefaring nations to remove their retired satellites from orbit. We propose a maximum time frame of five years for this instead of the 25 years that the FCC currently adheres to.8
Secondly, we need financial and political support for the companies developing the tools and devices with which to de-orbit satellites. However, this support should not take form of subsidies. Instead, ESA, for example, should award fixed-price contracts that companies can bid on. Whoever offers the most compelling and effective solution should then be awarded the contract. Objects such as those identified by Darren McKnight in his paper “Identifying the 50 statistically-most-concerning derelict objects in LEO” could be an initial target of such contracts.9 The industry will then develop a market for such services. Since space debris is considered a common problem, without initial financial incentives, a market cannot develop, which would lead to fewer space debris removal solutions. In short, we need to build an industry that produces tow trucks for space, whose services can then be purchased by states or institutions. After a successful primary mission, orbital stages can also be equipped for this purpose, which is how we plan to do it, for example.
Last but not least, there should be an international, standardized and public database for debris. Debris tracking solutions should be contributed by all and based on an international standard. This public database should be fed with both ground-based and space-based data, thus contributing significantly to reliable Space Situational Awareness. Based on this database, not only is safe travel to space possible in the decades to come, but also sustainable Space Traffic Management (STM) – to everyone’s benefit.
