Space Debris Polluting The Orbit: Legal Accountability And Environmental Consequences In Outer Space
- IJLLR Journal
- 3 minutes ago
- 1 min read
Nirupama R.L., LL.M., Kerala Law Academy, Trivandrum
ABSTRACT
Space debris has emerged as the most significant hazard to human operations in outer space today, endangering not only spacecraft systems but also the lives of astronauts aboard missions. This growing cloud of orbital waste includes defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments from accidental or deliberate collisions. This study examines the sources of space debris, the risks it poses to active space missions, and its impact on the fragile outer space environment. The environmental consequences of space debris are profound and long-lasting. Unlike terrestrial pollution, orbital debris cannot naturally decay or be easily cleaned; instead, it persists for decades or even centuries, threatening a catastrophic chain reaction known as the Kessler Syndrome. Such a scenario could render vital orbital zones unusable and jeopardize satellite-based services critical for communication, weather forecasting, navigation, and Earth observation. The urgency of this topic lies in the rapid commercialization and militarization of space, where increasing launches by private and public actors are outpacing the development of effective regulatory safeguards. Existing international legal frameworks, most notably the Outer Space Treaty (1967) and the Liability Convention (1972) offer only broad principles, lacking binding enforcement mechanisms or clarity on accountability. This paper includes an in-depth examination of the legal gaps, environmental consequences, and human impacts of space debris. Without enforceable global cooperation and reform, the orbit may soon transform from a pathway of innovation into a zone of irreversible hazard for humanity.
Keywords: Debris, Space debris, Space environment, Orbital waste, Legal policy.
