Space trash: Orbit shows where the circular economy breaks down – Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

Addressing Space Debris and Advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Introduction

The increasing accumulation of objects in Earth’s orbit poses significant challenges to sustainable development and the achievement of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This report highlights the critical issue of space debris and its implications for global sustainability efforts.

Current Situation of Space Debris

Space debris consists of defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments resulting from collisions and disintegration. The image below illustrates the density and distribution of these objects in orbit:

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

1. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • Space debris threatens the safety and reliability of satellite infrastructure critical for communication, navigation, and scientific research.
   • Innovation in debris mitigation technologies is essential to maintain and improve space-based infrastructure.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Satellites support urban planning, disaster management, and environmental monitoring, all of which are jeopardized by space debris.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Earth observation satellites provide critical data for climate monitoring and environmental protection, which can be compromised by orbital debris.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • International cooperation is vital to develop and implement effective space debris management policies and technologies.

Recommendations for Sustainable Space Management

• Enhance global collaboration to establish binding regulations on space debris mitigation.
• Invest in research and development of debris removal and collision avoidance technologies.
• Promote transparency and data sharing among space-faring entities to monitor and manage orbital objects.
• Integrate space sustainability considerations into broader SDG implementation frameworks.

Conclusion

Addressing the challenge of space debris is imperative to safeguard the benefits of space technologies that underpin many Sustainable Development Goals. Coordinated global action will ensure the long-term sustainability of space activities and contribute significantly to achieving the SDGs.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

The article discusses issues related to objects in orbit around Earth, which implies concerns about space debris, satellite management, and the sustainability of outer space activities. Based on this context, the following SDGs are addressed or connected:

1. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – focusing on resilient infrastructure and innovation, including space technology.
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – emphasizing sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources, which can be extended to space environment management.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action – as space technology is crucial for climate monitoring and environmental data collection.
4. SDG 14: Life Below Water and SDG 15: Life on Land – indirectly connected through the environmental monitoring capabilities of satellites.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – international cooperation is essential for managing space debris and sustainable use of outer space.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 9
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade technological capabilities of industrial sectors including space technology.
   • Target 9.b: Support domestic technology development and research in space infrastructure.
2. SDG 12
   • Target 12.4: Achieve environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes, which can be extended to space debris management.
   • Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse, applicable to space debris mitigation.
3. SDG 13
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards, supported by satellite data.
4. SDG 17
   • Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation.
   • Target 17.8: Fully operationalize the technology bank and science, technology and innovation capacity-building mechanism.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicator 9.5.1: Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP and number of researchers per million inhabitants, relevant to space technology advancement.
2. Indicator 12.4.2: Hazardous waste generated per capita and proportion of hazardous waste treated, applicable to space debris management.
3. Indicator 12.5.1: National recycling rate, tons of material recycled, which can be adapted to measure space debris removal efforts.
4. Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters, where satellite data plays a role in disaster risk reduction.
5. Indicator 17.6.2: Fixed Internet broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants, indicating access to technology and innovation.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: thebulletin.org