Active Debris Removal: Policy and Legal Feasibility

The proliferation of commercial entrants into the space economy has led to a growing concern about space debris and the danger it poses to satellites and space activities. Active debris removal (ADR) might be one of the tools for remediating existing debris, but such a proposal faces seemingly insurmountable legal challenges in addition to its technical and economic challenges. Permitted and legal ADR does not have to be prohibitively complicated. The legal framework in this paper establishes a method by which the United States can demonstrate its commitment to the remediation of space debris, set up pathfinder missions, and contribute to long-term sustainability of outer space.

Learn more about active debris removal in this episode of #TheSpacePolicyShow

Authors: Josef Koller, Tyler Way