The number of active satellites increased from 997 to 3,368 from 2010-2020 and is only going up. Add this to the estimated 23,000 orbital debris larger than 10 cm traveling around 15,000 mph, and you start to get a picture of how crowded Earth’s orbit is. At the 2021 National Space Symposium, space agencies came together to propose solutions to space traffic management. Many different ideas were brought up, but there is still no solution. In an attempt to become more sustainable, the Artemis Accords is an international effort to develop guidelines for sustainable and safe space exploration. For space traffic management to be efficient and effective, international collaboration and cooperation is crucial.
Click on the links below to learn more about space traffic management, the Artemis Accords and space debris!
Space agencies support space traffic management but differ on how it should be developed
The Artemis Accords: Principles for a Safe, Peaceful, and Prosperous Future
NASA Technology Transfer Program: Space Traffic Management (STM) Architecture
Astromaterials Research & Exploration Science: Orbital Debris Program Office
- Image Credit: NASA/JSC
