During the first decades of placing space objects in the Geostationary Orbit, satellite owners and operators abandoned space objects at their end-of-life, or just freed the slot by removing their satellites with the last kilograms of fuel. Also rocket stages that propelled geostationary satellites were abandoned therein. Due to orbital perturbations at about 36,000 km, objects that do not have station-keeping systems can drift into the slots of neighboring satellites and disturb their operation. Space debris objects at this altitude take at least one million years to naturally de-orbit and re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere. The accumulation of space debris objects that permanently cross the Geostationary Orbit is a growing hazard to operational satellites. Researchers at the IADC who published a set of Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines in 2002, identified the Geostationary Orbit as a ‘protected region’. One Mitigation Guideline recommends to re-orbit space objects that are reaching their end-of-life outside of this protected area. A growing number of States and international organizations reflect the IADC Mitigation Guidelines in national legislation, recommendations and standards. However, there is still an increase of large space debris objects in this area. Since it is not realistic to wait (up to one million years) for the natural deorbiting of these space objects, remediation measures need to be initiated, such as debris removal with external systems. This article describes the State practice of re-orbiting and proposes a strategy for debris removal to maintain a sustainable access and use of the Geostationary Orbit. |
Refine your search
Search result: 20 articles
Article |
Out into the Dark: Removing Space Debris from the Geostationary Orbit |
Journal | International Institute of Space Law, Issue 6 2019 |
Keywords | Space law, IADC, remediation, active space debris removal, Geostationary Orbit, GEO region, space debris mitigation guidelines, re-orbit guideline, Outer Space Treaty, Liability Convention |
Authors | Martha Mejía-Kaiser |
AbstractAuthor's information |
Article |
|
Journal | International Institute of Space Law, Issue 11 2014 |
Authors | Martha Mejía-Kaiser |
Article |
|
Journal | International Institute of Space Law, Issue 11 2013 |
Authors | Martha Mejía-Kaiser |
Author's information |
Article |
The 2012 Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition - Case Concerning On-Orbit Collision, Non-Cooperative Satellite Removal and Damages |
Journal | International Institute of Space Law, Issue 12 2012 |
Authors | Dr. Martha Mejía-Kaiser |
Article |
ESA’s Choice of Futures: Envisat Removal or First Liability Case |
Journal | International Institute of Space Law, Issue 5 2012 |
Authors | Martha Mejía-Kaiser |
Author's information |
Article |
ZURIS V NOVA FREEDONIA |
Journal | International Institute of Space Law, Issue 11 2011 |
Authors | Dr. Martha Mejía-Kaiser |
Author's information |
Article |
Collision Course: 2009 Iridium-Cosmos CrashThird Party Liability Issues in Commercial Space Activities |
Journal | International Institute of Space Law, Issue 3 2009 |
Authors | M. Mejía-Kaiser |
Article |
Report of the 52nd Colloquium on the Law of Outer Space in Daejon, Korea, October 2009Colloquium Report |
Journal | International Institute of Space Law, Issue 7 2009 |
Authors | J. Hong, J. Bonin, M. Mejia-Kaiser e.a. |
Article |
Removal of Non-Functional Space Objects without Prior ConsentNew Legal Developments in the Protection of the Space Environment |
Journal | International Institute of Space Law, Issue 3 2007 |
Authors | M. Mejía-Kaiser |
Article |
Report of the 50th Colloquium on the Law of Outer Space in Hyderabad, India, September 2007Session Reports |
Journal | International Institute of Space Law, Issue 6 2007 |
Authors | V. Gopala Krishnan, M. Mejia-Kaiser, R. Kaul e.a. |
Article |
Taking Garbage Outside: The Geostationary Orbit and Graveyard OrbitsOther Legal Matters, Including the Relationship Between Government and Private Sector in Space Activities |
Journal | International Institute of Space Law, Issue 6 2006 |
Authors | M. Mejía-Kaiser |
Article |
Report of the 49th Colloquium on the Law of Outer Space in Valencia, Spain, October 2006Session Reports |
Journal | International Institute of Space Law, Issue 7 2006 |
Authors | P. Vorwig, S. Ospina, M. Mejia-Kaiser e.a. |
Article |
Space Passenger LiabilityOther Legal Matters I, Including Legal Aspects of Sub-Orbital Flights |
Journal | International Institute of Space Law, Issue 3 2005 |
Authors | S. Kaiser and M. Mejía-Kaiser |
Article |
Report of the 48th Colloquium on the Law of Outer Space in Fukuoka, Japan, October 2005Session Reports |
Journal | International Institute of Space Law, Issue 6 2005 |
Authors | M. Mejía-Kaiser, S. Aoki, Y. Hashimoto e.a. |
Article |
The 1989 Berlin Court Decision on Copyright to a Space Remote Sensing ImageNew Developments in National Space Legislation |
Journal | International Institute of Space Law, Issue 1 2004 |
Authors | M. Mejía-Kaiser |
Article |
Report of the 47th Colloquium on the Law of Outer Space in Vancouver, Canada, October 2004Session Reports |
Journal | International Institute of Space Law, Issue 6 2004 |
Authors | P. Salin, M. Ejova, A.A. Golrounia e.a. |
Article |
Report of the 46th Colloquium on the Law of Outer Space in Bremen, Germany, September 2003Session Reports |
Journal | International Institute of Space Law, Issue 6 2003 |
Authors | P. Achilleas, M. Mejia-Kaiser, L. Covert e.a. |
Article |
Proprietary Rights in Remote Sensing ImagesLegal Aspects of Commercial Space Activities |
Journal | International Institute of Space Law, Issue 1 1995 |
Authors | M. Mejía-Kaiser |
Article |
Verification of European Farm Subsidies by SatelliteOther Legal Matters |
Journal | International Institute of Space Law, Issue 4 1994 |
Authors | M. Mejía-Kaiser |
Article |
An International Remote Sensing Cartel?Recent Developments in Space Law with Special Emphasis on Nuclear Power Sources |
Journal | International Institute of Space Law, Issue 4 1993 |
Authors | M. Mejia-Kaiser |
Showing all 20 results
You can search full text for articles by entering your search term in the search field. If you click the search button the search results will be shown on a fresh page where the search results can be narrowed down by category or year.