Defending Our World Against Collisions IN and FROM Space
Low earth orbit and geostationary orbital slots are highly competitive, and these orbits have become congested, increasing the potential for collisions in space. The congestion is due to both operational space objects whose numbers have exponentially increased in past 10 years as well rising space debris. Precise debris removal guidelines are lacking. Vital space systems which carry out valuable functions are increasingly at threat and this problem needs urgent attention.
While many steps have been taken such as design changes for reduction of space debris, collision avoidance, and development of active debris removal, congestion in space is a growing problem. It needs innovative solutions both in terms of technology and governance and increase cooperative action by space agencies, U.N. entities, and the space industry.
In addition to space debris there are also threats to humanity from cosmic threats and better protective actions are needed. Earth is bombarded by everything from so-called “stardust”, to micrometeoroids, bolides, and meteoroids (especially when well-identified periodic meteor showers occur). The nature of these space hazards, from solar storms, comets and asteroids is still poorly understood by the general public. Some 40,000 metric tons materials and about 17,000 meteors fall to Earth each year.
Most of these incoming Near-Earth Objects burn up in the atmosphere and are thus rendered harmless but occasional large space objects can enter the earth’s atmosphere and pose a danger to humanity. Better detection and global response systems against such dangers are needed. Likewise, better cooperative action is needed to protect vulnerable infrastructure against violent solar storms that threaten vital electrical networks, pipelines, satellites, and automated control systems. Hence, the time is ripe for cooperative global action to defend Earth, and serious action needs to be taken nationally as well as globally. Experts from around the world will address key areas of concerns of planetary defense in this panel including topics such as space debris collisions, powerful solar storms, collisions by operational space objects, cosmic hazards, and different approaches to planetary defense. Information about what is being done by space agencies and scientific researchers in each key area will be presented.
Experts will discuss science today and technological innovations ahead. The speakers will discuss, with the goal of collaboratively formulating recommended actions that would allow better threat detection as well as various strategies for the better protection of the world’s cities and terrestrial infrastructure. Actions that will be addressed include:
1. New and necessary approaches and guidelines for space debris mitigation.
2. Implementation and successes of UN COPUOS Long Term Sustainability Guidelines
3. Recommendations for new national and global governance of mega-constellations
4. Enhanced and refined guidelines for the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN) and the Space Mission Planning Advisory Group for consideration by the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).
5. Recommended actions for the Inter-Agency space Debris Committee (IADC) to expand its terms of reference to address all types of space hazards and to undertake cooperative R&D in all areas related to cosmic hazards including asteroids, comets, solar storms, and space debris.
6. Recommendations for improved search protocols for dangerous asteroids that would be reduced from 140 meters down to 35 meters in diameters; and a globally sanctioned disaster response capability for cosmic hazards.
7. Better emergency response systems and protective measures for vulnerable infrastructure that could be destroyed by near Earth objects or violent solar storms
8. Better coordination of efforts of U.N. agencies and space agencies to address all space-related dangers and protective actions.