<title>Orbital debris as a dual-use program</title>

Abstract

Orbital debris is a growing international issue, including rising visibility within the United Nations (U.N.). In one to two decades, orbiting debris will significantly inhibit use of some of the most valuable orbits. This will have a significant economic impact on both government and commercial uses of space. The following steps are needed for coordinated efforts: 1) Increase observational assets, with the initial emphasis on expanding and integrating data from ground-based assets. Development will also continue on space-based measurement capabilities.2) Have the data from the collection assets sent by high-speed data links to a central location to a Center for Space Debris Analysis (CSDA).3) In the CSDA, the data would be analyzed, cross-correlated, cataloged, and modeled. The CSDA would also provide spacecraft design services, to minimize debris generated and maximize lifetime. The main thrusts of the CSDA will be on mitigation and risk reduction.4) The CSDA data would be available to government agencies, launch vehicle firms, satellite builders, insurance companies, communication satellite firms, etc.After about four years of start-up funding from the U.S. government, the CSDA should become self-sustaining with funds generated from users: internationally public and private.