1. The Legal Implications of Improved Space Situation Awareness and other Developments in Space Technology Dr Stuart Eves, SSTL

2. The Space Debris Hazard
Total mass of debris in Earth orbit is currently ~6,800 tonnes
Close conjunctions occur frequently
The OneWeb mega-constellation will operate at 1200 km altitude specifically to avoid the debris in Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
Satellites should deorbit within 25 years
>20,000 debris objects larger than 10 cm in Earth orbit
Debris vs altitude
OneWeb constellation
TDS-1 before and after drag-sail deployment

3. Improved Space Situation Awareness
The new US Space Fence will detect smaller objects down to <5cm (perhaps 500,000)
It will provide improved cueing for high accuracy sensors
Better STC requires routine recording of ballistic coefficient, albedo, radar cross section etc.
Also, spectral sensors are required to determine the material composition of the debris
And we will also need sensors capable of observing object motion
Encouragingly, commercial SSA is developing
Space fence coverage
Commercial STC entities

4. Propulsion plume concept
Debris Removal
A variety of technologies, including Mass drivers; Adhesives; Harpoons; Lasers; Tethers; Nets; Grapplers; Propulsion plumes; Slingsats; and De-orbit sails have been suggested to remove large, long-lived debris objects
All these concepts are technically immature and look like anti-satellite weapons in the wrong hands
It’s unclear how these concepts would be financed, and the politics is hard too
Harpoon concept
Mass driver concept
Adhesive concept
Propulsion plume concept
Laser concept
Tether concept
Grappler
concept
Slingsat concept
Net concept
De-orbit sail concept

5. Electric propulsion concept
Space Debris As Fuel
But supposing that we could use space debris as a propellant……..
A team in Australia is developing a thruster that works by ionising metals (and carbon) and accelerating them
Mass-drivers have also been suggested, which can utilise almost any type of debris
Space debris becomes an on-orbit resource
Space Traffic Control (STC) data on the location of suitable pieces of debris suddenly increases in value
Electric propulsion concept
Mass-driver concept

6. Necropolis Concept Satellite Disposal Facility in Orbit
Technical Requirements:
Trackable and manoeuvrable
Serviceable – the Necropolis will need fuel
Able to manage charging
Able to passivate satellites arriving
Able to process materials delivered to it
Satellite Disposal
Facility in Orbit
Benefits:
Significantly less satellite de-orbit propellant
Lighter constellations – fewer rockets required
Less risky constellation disposal
Potential for refuelling subsequent missions using recycled materials
Metals and/or carbon

7. Legal Implications
Need agreement that disposing of satellites in an approved necropolis is both “legal” and a “responsible use of space”
Need agreement on the legal status of “unclaimed” debris
Need agreement on whether “owned” debris can be salvaged and traded
Need consensus on the potential transfer of legal responsibility if debris objects are “salvaged”
Space Salvage

8. Thank You