ROOM
25
Special Report
operators providing information. Something that
could be useful immediately would be a centre for
the exchange of data collected on debris.
A model for such could be the Minor Planet
Center (MPC), which acts in a similar function for
near-Earth objects and employs a staff of only six
full-time employees [22]. Such a centre would fill a
need, as currently there is no existing data centre
to exchange comprehensive orbital information
on space debris (many debris objects do not
appear in the SpaceTrack.org catalog). A global
SSA data centre, while worthy of discussion in an
international context, is no doubt something that
would be further removed in the future, given the
timescales on which international discussions take
place, but could happen much sooner if interested
participants join together and make it happen.
While a space debris data centre would be a
convenient and useful tool to allow the exchange
of information, we still need to develop additional
sources for the information that is to be exchanged.
While there may exist a market for commercial
SSA services for GEO satellite operators [23], it is not
clear if a similar situation exists on a large scale for
space debris. So how are we to collect such data?
A satellite that
is not properly
disposed of
only becomes
a new element
of the debris
picture
Happily, ground-based optical telescopes
provide a good, proven and inexpensive solution
to this problem. As the astronomical community
advanced the state-of-the-art observatory from
1-2 m diameter telescopes to 4 m, and then to
8-10 m, and soon to 30 m or larger, there exist a
number of functioning, or recently mothballed,
smaller observatories that could be used if funding
were available to operate and maintain them.
This seems another best use of the ‘next’
dollar: funding additional sources of high-
quality observations of space debris. National
space agencies or science foundations might
set up a series of operations and maintenance
service contracts with colleges and universities
that have such underused assets, and perhaps
even with motivated teams of experienced
amateur astronomers. Industrial groups
might also be willing to participate, perhaps
motivated by profit or for reasons of outreach
to enhance STEM (science, technology,
engineering and maths) participation by
students or the public [24].
Active Debris Removal (ADR) will need to be
accomplished at some point because even under
Definition of the GEO
protected region as per
IADC guideline 3.3.2 [2].
This defines a toroid-like
band that encircles Earth.
