Statistical studies on space launches and the need for active debris removal system

Abstract

The more and more use of outer space for the betterment of the lifestyle of mankind and quest for knowledge has led to the accumulation of space debris/space junk in the high density satellite orbits. Though many of the active de-orbiting programs aiming for the space debris removal are alive, the statistical data on the effectiveness of the existing debris mitigation measures are insufficient for an authentic conclusion. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) reported that by delaying the liftoff by two minutes at the end of the 51-hour countdown, ISRO could evade the collision of their satellite with the catalogued space debris and avoided a probable mission failure. We conjectured from the open data base of current debris count in space that even if all future space launches are called off, the space debris already present will be posing threats for several centuries to come before all of them re-enter earth and burn off. This calls for a comprehensive statistical study on space launches and the need for implementing a lucrative debris removal system collectively by various countries and/or space agencies who are using the orbital space. Since most of the top space agencies are spending less than 1% of their countries space budget allocation on debris removal it is inevitable to highlight the future risk involved on space debris to the concerned government and/or space agencies for siphoning more fund for debris mitigation. We also propose to put levy on satellite users through space tax for mobilizing fund for commissioning an international space debris removal agency (ISDRA) through mutually agreeable space law for invoking orbital debris mitigation standard practices effectively. The said ISDRA can activate space elevators and other active/passive debris removal systems effectively through the cooperation of various space agencies. The proposed ISDRA can also give appropriate guidance for space tourism and warning to each country for anti-satellite operations for humankind.