Why space debris is a pressing problem

I am a sixth form student who became fascinated by this topic through the Leaf Fellowship; this post is a brief summary of my research over the past five weeks.

I would like to thank Jonah Boucher, Dr Jill Stuart, Dr Christopher Newman, Fin Moorhouse,  Max, Esmee Cadogan, Alisze Henry, and Chloe Ching for their valuable input throughout the research process.

Summary

This post argues that reducing space debris is a high-impact cause area for those looking to have a positive impact. Through the scale, tractability, and neglectedness framework, there is a compelling case that minimising debris warrants more attention. Ultimately, debris threatens global satellite networks and the critical infrastructure that depends on them. This post also outlines potential avenues for engagement on this issue.

What is space debris?

Space debris is defunct, man-made objects in space, such as decommissioned satellites. The majority of debris is concentrated in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), at altitudes of 750-1000km.^[1] Debris can also be found in Geostationary Orbit (GEO). Currently, over 1.2 million pieces of debris (bigger than 1cm) orbit Earth.^[2]

Causes of space debris

1. More space programs

Emerging corporate and national space programs have increased debris. Starlink has launched over 8,000 satellites since 2020,^[3] while developing national space programs from countries like the UAE and India are further increasing debris.

More objects in space also heighten collision risk, causing more future debris. Collisions generate massive amounts of debris; the 2009 collision between satellites Iridium 33 and Kosmos-2251 created over 2,000 pieces of debris.^[4]

2. Anti-satellite weapon tests

Anti-satellite (ASAT) tests involve testing weapons designed to destroy satellites. These create vast debris fields; China's 2007 ASAT created over 3,000 trackable fragments and an estimated 150,000 smaller pieces.^[5] This debris remains in orbit for decades, causing long-term space contamination.^[6]

3. Space Missions

Mission-related equipment significantly contributes to space debris. Spent rocket stages, launch adapters, lens covers and lost tools comprise a substantial volume of debris.^[7]

Scale

Minimising space debris is vital to protect global infrastructure. Space debris travels at speeds up to 18,000 mph, making even small fragments catastrophic upon collision.^[8] This problem is heightened by millions of small, untrackable debris pieces that cannot be avoided by collision maneuvers.^[9]

Space debris can destroy satellites; in 2021, debris from a 1996 Russian rocket launch destroyed China's Yunhai 1-02 satellite.^[10] Satellites underpin global GPS systems, which are used for navigation, airline routing, banking, and finance.^[11]

Importantly, power grids rely on GPS systems too, meaning GPS systems are needed to power hospitals and other critical infrastructure. As such, debris poses a threat to essential infrastructure.

In addition, increasing space debris could trigger the Kessler effect, a cascading collision cycle that renders LEO unusable.^[12] Debris could, therefore, block space colonisation efforts that may be crucial for long term human survival in the case of extinction risks.

Tractability

Minimising space debris is in an uniquely tractable position. Recent advances in space monitoring have increased attention to debris and the growing satellite population, creating momentum for solutions.^[13] This may make this a particularly effective time to act.

There are also relatively few corporate actors and governments which produce the majority of debris; this means any actions are easier to coordinate. On the flip side, this means the failure of one actor to reduce debris has a disproportionately larger negative impact.

It is also in the interests of all states and actors to reduce debris to enable future space exploration. This suggests minimising space debris might be more tractable than issues such as great power conflicts, where conflicting geopolitical interests may block effective action. The prominence of international bodies in issuing guidelines for space debris, such as the UN, does suggest that there is scope for international collaboration.

Neglectedness

Minimising space debris remains a neglected issue. There are significantly less think tanks publishing research on space debris compared to other policy areas.^[14] Therefore, research about space debris may gain more traction than research in other policy areas, as it faces less competition from existing work.

Space debris is also deeply underfunded; however, accurately comparing its resources against those allocated to other areas is difficult given limited data. ^[15]

Counterarguments

It is a long-term problem

Some argue that tackling space debris is a long-term concern, and should not be prioritised over immediate problems, like global health. Currently, space exploration is still viable, and satellites can avoid debris via collision maneuvers.

However, debris is proliferating rapidly due to increased national and corporate presence in space. Avoiding debris may no longer be a future solution, and space debris may no longer be a long-term concern. Even if space debris is a long-term concern, developing technology capable of removing debris is a lengthy process requiring research and development. Consequently, it is important to start working to minimise debris now.

It could be hard to influence

The majority of orbital debris originates from just three countries. China, Russia and the United States (including their corporations) are responsible for 96% of orbital debris.^[16] These states may have indirect incentives to generate debris; for instance, an incentive to test weapons in space (creating debris). Influencing these states to reduce debris may prove challenging.

However, growing awareness of debris may mean this is less of a problem than previously thought. States have a strong incentive to minimise debris, given it is a threat to their space operations. China-Russia space agreements on debris indicates they are, to some extent, willing to act to minimise debris.^[17] Likewise, the US has acted to limit debris, such as mandating the post-mission disposal of satellites within five years.^[18]

Ways to work on this problem

This list offers potential starting points to tackle space debris, though it is by no means exhaustive:

• Lobby for national/international legislation banning ASAT tests to limit future space debris creation. (In 2022, the UN voted in favour of a resolution to limit testing ASATs in a manner that creates space debris, suggesting this is a tractable area).^[19]
• Pursue a career with international organisations such as the European Space Agency (ESA) or the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR), which are implementing non-binding guidelines to manage debris. (This might be a long-term goal, considering it requires career capital in space governance first).
• Collaborate with leading think tanks to produce impactful research, which can be distributed to governments to influence national policy on space debris. (This also may require significant career capital).
• For those with an engineering skillset, it may be worth working on debris removal technologies. Current debris removal technologies (such as lasers and nets) remain costly and under development.
• Lobby private actors (e.g SpaceX) to take greater precautions to remove space debris. An agreement that imposes responsibility on commercial actors for satellites and debris may effectively hold private actors accountable.
• Working for private actors to steer them towards minimising space debris may also be a beneficial option.

As the issue of space debris gains attention, additional opportunities to work on this problem will likely emerge.

Conclusion

To conclude, managing space debris is a high-impact cause area that is important, tractable and neglected. With satellite numbers rapidly increasing, risks from space debris continue to escalate. Whilst space debris may not be the most pressing cause area, individuals with relevant expertise or strong personal fit should consider tackling this cause area.

1. ^{^}

   Bonnal (2025) "The Proliferation of Space Debris in Earth's Orbit," Polytechnique Insights, February.

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   ESA (2025) "Space Debris by the Numbers," European Space Agency, September.

3. ^{^}

   Shepardson & Roulette (2025) "SpaceX Buys Wireless Spectrum from EchoStar in $17 Billion Deal," Reuters, September.

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NASA (2011) Orbital Debris Quarterly News, Volume 15, Issue 3, NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, July.

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Hadley (2023) "Saltzman: China's ASAT Test Was 'Pivot Point' in Space Operations," Air & Space Forces Magazine, January.

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NASA (n.d.) "Orbital Debris Frequently Asked Questions," NASA Orbital Debris Program Office.

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ESA (n.d.) "About Space Debris," European Space Agency.

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NASA (n.d.) Space Debris Bibliography, NASA Headquarters Library.

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Global Resilience Institute (2018) "Space Debris Poses Growing Threat to Satellite Infrastructure," Global Resilience Institute.

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Wall (2021) "Space Junk Collision: Chinese Satellite Got Whacked by Hunk of Russian Rocket in March," Space.com, August 17.

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ClearSpace (2023) "Tackling the Growing Risks of Space Debris in Earth Orbit," UK Space Agency Blog, November 6.

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Wolf (2023) "Space Is Full of Rubbish – It's Everyone's Job to Clean It Up," Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, February.

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Christensen, I. (2024). Doubling Down: Actions to Progress on Both Space Debris Mitigation and Remediation. Secure World Foundation, July.

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Wolf (2023) "Space Is Full of Rubbish – It's Everyone's Job to Clean It Up," Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, February.

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Jah, M. (2023). Space Debris Will Block Space Exploration unless We Start Acting Sustainably. Scientific American, August 1.

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Statista (2022) "Who's Responsible for Space Junk?" Statista, September 22

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CNA (2023) China-Russia Space Cooperation: The Strategic, Military, Diplomatic, and Economic Implications of a Growing Relationship, CNA, June.

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Federal Communications Commission (2022) "FCC Adopts New '5-Year Rule' for Deorbiting Satellites," Federal Communications Commission, September 29.

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Smith (2022) "U.N. Approves Resolution Not to Conduct Destructive ASAT Tests," SpacePolicyOnline, December 7.

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