From the phenomenal Artemis II’s lunar mission to the movie Project Hail Mary, the world once again sees how astonishing space is and how we still have a lot of it to explore. Alas,  humanity’s evolving space technology comes with a dirty price to pay: space debris. And thus, it is fundamentally necessary to determine who should actually be, with full accountability, paying for it. 

The ‘Piling’ of Space Debris

Space debris are human-generated objects, spacecraft components, or satellite parts that are no longer working. Most of them reside in the low Earth orbit (LEO), with an altitude of 2,000 km or less. In fact, much of space infrastructure exists in this space. The close distance is convenient for monitoring, transportation, communication, and resupply.

Almost 6.000 tons of materials are stuck in low Earth orbit, creating a massive junk yard. But these junks do not just float harmlessly; they move with extremely high speed. They can bump into each other and create collisions. These collisions can then enforce the Kessler syndrome, in which, “the debris flux will increase exponentially with time.” 

Furthermore, if more and more junks ‘pile up’ in the LEO, some will eventually lose altitude and burn up in Earth’s atmosphere. Larger pieces of junk can occasionally impact Earth with destructive effects. Not to mention, space debris consists of extremely toxic fuel chemicals which are harmful to humans and the environment alike. Recent research found that the pollution caused by space debris could be dangerous for the atmosphere.

Tracing Accountability and Disparity

Framing this issue merely as a global environmental issue blurs the truth behind it. In essence, irresponsible actors are walking away and leaving the consequences to the rest of the world. Data shows, the United States, Russia, and China generate the most amount of debris by a massive margin. Russia itself, for instance, is responsible for 7,032 pieces of debris after banishing its old satellites using an anti-satellite weapon. This space junk is a result of their effort of asserting dominance; prioritizing self-interest and global domination over environmental safety. 

Moreover, most space technologies are made only for use, not re-use, which makes it impossible to recover and recycle. This shows how most spacefaring nations do not prioritize sustainability or even consider the importance of the shared orbital environment. Another concern is the growth of the privatization of space travel. The multi-billion-dollar company SpaceX, for example, currently has more than 10.000 active satellites in orbit.

Meanwhile, the consequences affect all life on Earth. Global South nations are aiming to improve their space-based activities, but space debris is increasingly limiting the safe use of orbit. When Earth’s orbit is full of junk made by those who dominate, other countries may not have the same opportunity to achieve the benefits of space-based activities yet are burdened with the risks all the same. 

Space Debris vs. Orbital Sustainability

Almost 60% Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets depend on space-based data, which makes orbital sustainability just as important. Beyond telecommunications, satellites are essential tools for climate monitoring and disaster risk reduction efforts. For example, satellite data can be used to monitor sea level rise and enhance early warning systems for hurricanes and floods. 

However, the amount of space debris in orbit right now, with the fact that they are moving very rapidly, puts satellite infrastructure at high risk. Yet besides the general, outdated obligations of the Outer Space Treaty  from 1967—which fails to directly bind private space agencies—there is currently no legal framework enforcing actors to take responsibility for the junk they generate. The UN’s Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines are merely a handbook rather than a legally binding mechanism.

Raising awareness about space debris is not enough if spacefaring nations are still denying the importance of orbital sustainability and treating space as their personal arena. Without firm regulations, anyone can exploit spaceorbit without the legal responsibility to fix what they ruin. 

Governing Space

Cleaning the existing space junk is difficult due to its amount and our limited resources. Therefore, accountability must mean more than just physical cleanup. There should be at least one legally binding international law that explicitly enforces actors to be responsible and pay the environmental price. Essentially, this regulation should enforce strict financial liability, launch limitations, and preventive measures. It is also important to ensure that it binds private space agencies, not merely directing it to the nations that license them. 

First, financial liability could act as both an upfront deposit and damage compensation, which forces polluters to take actual responsibility for their actions. Second, launch limitations would secure equitable access for nations that actually need to launch space-based services, rather than stick to the unfair ‘first come, first served’ method. Lastly, preventive measures, such as requiring space vehicles to be built from sustainable materials and equipped with a mandatory de-orbit design, should be proven before any license is granted. Scholars have also discussed plans to reinforce space traffic management to reduce collision risk.

And no less importantly, the Global South plays a crucial role in creating a more inclusive and sustainable orbit. Global South countries have full agency to demand their rights in multilateral forums and address their priorities while shaping future governance mechanisms. Building collective bargaining power through regional solidarity is essential to counter the current hegemonic powers and ensure inclusivity to orbital resources for all nations.

Editor: Nazalea Kusuma

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Aisya Cahya Daniswara

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Aisya Cahya Daniswara is an International Relations graduate from Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia. Her research focuses on non-traditional security challenges within contemporary IR, peace studies, and PCWP (Popular Culture and World Politics).