08-06-09 Space Traffic Management In The Earth 21st Century

The spacefaring nations of the world are coming to the conclusion that the space debris issue has evolved from a minor nuisance to a full-blown imperative.Hundreds,if not thousands,of decision makers,engineers,managers,politicians and policy makers have focused their attention on how to deal with the fast-growing threat to operational satellites and future access to space.All that use space and take advantage of space applications will be affected by the actions of these people in the coming years. There is little doubt that we must move from a reactive mode to a proactive mode when dealing with space debris remediation.It is clear that methods and systems for reducing the debris threat will be developed over the next several years.This will be followed by a period of orbital operations that will slowly reduce collision-damage probabilities to some universally accepted set of values.The solution will involve several ground-based and space-based activities, including added spacecraft shielding, extra satellite onboard propellant for maneuvering, limitations on creating new debris, automated de-orbiting of upper stages, mandatory end-of-life risk-reduction maneuvers and physical removal of debris from high-threat zones. Success will require all spacefaring nations to cooperate and work together.Once we bring the space debris issue under control,what next? If we are to continue to utilize space and maintain safety for operational satellites,there must be an ongoing international program to keep debris-collision risks at acceptable levels