Space debris is a growing threat

Space debris is a growing threat. Research by Zhang et al. shows that if just 1% of satellites in a large satellite constella6on fail, there is an 86% chance they collide with others in the constellaton. This necessitates new approaches to render outer space operatons safer.

Actve Debris Removal (ADR) is the process of using satellites to remove other satellites (or parts of them) from Earth orbit and is viewed as a necessary approach to bring the debris popula6on down to safer levels.

ADR can be consensual or non-consensual. The former involves removal of the satellite with the express consent of the operator, and the latter without such consent. Existing academic literature has focused on the former, as has the ADR industry. This is largely because of the need to operate within the framework set out by the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, conferring jurisdiction and control over space objects to the State registering that object. The risk of

non-cooperative behaviour by the State of registry necessitates consideration of nonconsensual ADR. This raises significant legal issues, as non-consensual removal of a satellite might be viewed as a breach of State's jurisdiction and be considered a threat to national security. This research will be the first extensive study of non-consensual ADR. The study will aim at proposing a set of guidelines which could be used by operators to perform these ac6vi6es in

a legal, predictable and safe manner. This supports the UK Space Sustainability Strategy and complements the UK's world-leading ADR engineering capabilities.