European Space Agency in Talks with SpaceX to Tackle Space Debris

By Tim Hepher and Joey Roulette

PARIS/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The European Space Agency (ESA) is discussing collaboration with SpaceX regarding participation in an international charter aimed at addressing the increasing issue of space debris, according to Director General Josef Aschbacher.

The 22-nation agency is leading several initiatives to mitigate the proliferation of space junk from past missions, which threatens active satellites. Aschbacher noted that 110 countries or entities have partnered with ESA's Zero Debris Charter, which seeks to eliminate new orbital debris generation by 2030.

When asked if SpaceX, which operates approximately two-thirds of the active satellites in low Earth orbit, had joined, Aschbacher said, "Not yet, but we are in discussion with them. This charter is evolving, and we will continue to address these fundamental issues." SpaceX has not responded to requests for comments.

Currently, of the nearly 10,300 active satellites, around 6,300 belong to SpaceX's rapidly expanding Starlink constellation, as reported by the U.S. Space Force. Competing constellations are being launched by China and Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), the latter planning to deploy over 3,000 satellites for its Kuiper constellation this decade. Amazon is already a charter participant, Aschbacher confirmed.

According to astronomer Jonathan McDowell from Harvard, there are approximately 18,897 trackable space debris pieces in orbit. While 'space debris' and 'space junk' are often used interchangeably, some differentiate between inactive payloads, rocket bodies, and debris or remnants from broken satellites.

Although no international laws govern space debris, various countries and space agencies have begun proposing national regulations. Aschbacher stated, "We are not a regulatory body; we are a technical space agency. But the establishment of this charter, developed in collaboration with other partners, is encouraging."

MISSILE TESTS

SpaceX must comply with orbital debris rules enforced by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, requiring that a Starlink satellite deorbit within five years post-service.

"It's crucial for industries to publicly commit to these initiatives, and I'm pleased that SpaceX is considering it," McDowell emphasized regarding the charter.

In 2023, SpaceX criticized a Federal Aviation Administration report that flagged risks associated with falling debris from constellations as "deeply flawed," per SpaceNews.

While commercial constellations are focal points, much of the rising space debris is attributed to collisions or anti-satellite missile tests. A Chinese rocket body recently fragmented upon colliding with space junk, creating significant debris.

NASA states that two prior incidents increased the debris by around 70%, namely:

• The destruction of China’s Fengyun-1C satellite in 2007.
• A collision of a U.S. and Russian spacecraft in 2009.

A Russian anti-satellite test in 2021 produced at least 1,500 new debris pieces, some of which have since decayed, according to U.S. Space Command. The U.S. and India have also demonstrated anti-satellite capabilities that contributed further to orbital debris.

The Biden administration has advocated for a moratorium on these tests, which several countries support, albeit not Russia or China.