We need to protect Earth’s orbit from dangerous space junk

Legally binding global treaty needed to tackle space debris, say experts

Artist impression issued by ESA of space debris in low Earth orbit (LEO)

Satellite makers and operators must be held responsible for the growing hazard of space debris, according to experts who say a legally binding global treaty must be thrashed out to protect the orbital environment.

With the number of satellites rising dramatically, the agreement would make manufacturers and users responsible for de-orbiting defunct hardware and cleaning up any debris created when orbiting objects slam into one another.