Legal Aspects of Active Debris Removal

The quantity of space debris in Earth's orbit has already reached a concerning level, threatening the safety of space activities. What makes this problem more pressing is that debris pieces generated by a collision can trigger further collisions and thus fragment other objects, a phenomenon known as the Kessler Syndrome. The growing need for active removal of space debris raises the question of whether the current international legal framework for space activities adequately regulates space debris removal and, if not, what the gaps are and how they can be filled. This is what this groundbreaking book is about.The author provides in-depth analysis of such issues and topics as the following:the problem of space debris and issues surrounding the governance of active debris removal that demand answers from international space law;responsibility under international law to mitigate and remove space debris;international liability for damage caused by space objects and its implications for debris removal activities;eligibility under the current international legal framework to remove debris from other entities;legal restrictions on the use of active debris removal technologies, especially in view of their dual-use nature;apportionment of liability for damage caused among parties involved in a debris removal mission; andprovision of information on the removability of space debris. To address the gaps, this book examines initiatives undertaken at national and international levels related to the governance of active debris removal and proposes recommendations for the further development of international space law, encapsulated in four keywords: commitment, safety, consent, and transparency. Space debris is a multidisciplinary issue that requires collective efforts within the international space community. This book provides a systematic analysis of the present and future of space law in regulating active debris removal. For legal scholars, it offers an understanding of the evolving landscape of active debris removal, its regulatory challenges, and the international legal framework that needs to keep pace with its development. For policymakers, it can provide insights into shaping the future development of international space law to better accommodate the regulatory needs of debris removal.