[DRAFT] Active Mitigation of Space Debris

[Cretox State]

"Early draft of a proposal to facilitate the active reduction of space debris. While GAR #349 "To Prevent Dangerous Debris" is commendable for its efforts to proactively reduce the accumulation of additional dangerous orbital debris, we believe that the only option to directly tackle the issue of existing space debris is active removal. As always, any feedback is appreciated."

Active Mitigation of Space Debris

Category: Regulation
Area of Effect: Safety

The World Assembly,

Recognizing the accumulation of orbital debris as an expensive obstacle for space development efforts to work around, and a persistent threat to sapient life;

Commending the efforts of GAR #349 "To Prevent Dangerous Debris" in proactively reducing the accumulation of additional space debris through the implementation of guidelines regarding any objects launched into space;

Concerned, however, that the absence of a coordinated international effort to actively remove debris from orbit will only lead to a progressive, uncontrolled increase in debris numbers over time, with object collisions becoming the primary source of new debris;

Noting that the active removal of debris is highly efficient and carries numerous indirect benefits, including the abilities to remove the most critical objects from orbit first, target existing nonfunctional objects for removal, and facilitate a controlled deorbit of potentially dangerous objects, hereby:

1. Defines "debris" for the purposes of this resolution as any object which has or is in the process of circling a terrestrial body at least once without propulsion or outside assistance, excepting natural satellites;
2. Clarifies that an object is not considered debris for the purposes of this resolution if it is under the direct control of a sapient operator, or can be readily placed under the direct control of a sapient operator without the application of any part of this resolution or similar measures;
3. Expands the duties of the International Aero-Space Administration (IASA) to include:
   1. collaborating with the International Meteorological Organization (IMO) to track existing debris and conduct long-term environmental simulations concerning the trajectories and effects of existing debris;
   2. providing information pertaining to the above to member nations upon request, where reasonable;
   3. identifying debris to be prioritized for removal, based on a thorough assessment of the following factors:
      1. mass and potential environmental impact;
      2. collision probability;
      3. location, region density, cross-sectional area, and altitude;
   4. the development of effective generic and specialized technology for the active and safe removal of debris such that said debris would no longer be defined as debris under this resolution or pose a threat to sapient life;
   5. the active and safe removal of debris such that said debris would no longer be defined as debris under this resolution or pose a threat to sapient life, in accordance with the priority system outlined in section 3c of this resolution;
4. Instructs the IASA to consider and respond to potential legal constraints concerning the ownership of specific debris targeted for removal pursuant to this resolution;
5. Permits the IASA to use the applicable resources of member nations for the purposes of this resolution on a voluntary basis;
6. Strongly encourages member nations with resources applicable to the purposes of this resolution to permit the IASA to utilize said resources;
7. Allows member nations to perform their own missions for the removal of debris, so long as said missions are thoroughly reviewed and approved by the IASA to ensure their effectiveness pursuant to this resolution.

[Kenmoria]

“On clause 7, why do missions to remove debris need to be approved by the IMO? It seems to me that, if member states want to tackle this problem without straining the WA’s resources, they should be encouraged to do so. Even an ineffectual mission might remove one or two pieces of scrap that could otherwise pose a hazard.”

[Maowi]

"The definition of "debris" seems to include all natural satellites of any celestial body; I would assume this was not intended? Separately, does the definition intentionally only apply to objects orbiting celestial bodies, thus presumably excluding member nations' home planets?"

[Cretox State]

“On clause 7, why do missions to remove debris need to be approved by the IMO? It seems to me that, if member states want to tackle this problem without straining the WA’s resources, they should be encouraged to do so. Even an ineffectual mission might remove one or two pieces of scrap that could otherwise pose a hazard.”

"Not if the mission is poorly planned, fails to capture the target debris, and the vehicle explodes, just to give an example. Also, the committee would need the information in any case."

"The definition of "debris" seems to include all natural satellites of any celestial body; I would assume this was not intended? Separately, does the definition intentionally only apply to objects orbiting celestial bodies, thus presumably excluding member nations' home planets?"

"We altered the definition accordingly."

[Flying Eagles]

Your definition could arguably include all rockets presently on the ground, as they could theoretically be launched into orbit.

OOC: IRL, space organizations, not meteorology organizations, deal with space debris. IASA (GA#451) and/or ASTRO (GA#460) may be somewhat better fits.

[Picairn]

"Can we use our ion cannons to vaporize the debris? Would save us a ton of money than sending our spaceship fleets out and manually destroy every scrap."

[Cretox State]

Your definition could arguably include all rockets presently on the ground, as they could theoretically be launched into orbit.

"Ground-based rockets would rely on propulsion. If a rocket were to be launched into orbit and left there, it would be fair game unless it could be placed under the control of a sapient operator."

OOC: IRL, space organizations, not meteorology organizations, deal with space debris. IASA (GA#451) and/or ASTRO (GA#460) may be somewhat better fits.

"We changed it to the IASA."

"Can we use our ion cannons to vaporize the debris? Would save us a ton of money than sending our spaceship fleets out and manually destroy every scrap."

"Of course. The proposal doesn't specify what methods are to be used, just that they be effective and safe. That's intentional on our part."

[Imperium Anglorum]

Space is exceptionally large. It would be very difficult to fill a junk orbit outside of low orbit.

[Cretox State]

Space is exceptionally large. It would be very difficult to fill a junk orbit outside of low orbit.

OOC: Removed that part of the preamble.

[Comfed]

“Ambassador, you want our nation to pay for your endeavours in blowing up asteroids? Frankly, this is a waste of the World Assembly’s time and money! We would prefer that our WA funds be used for the benefit of people, not sci-fi space projects!”

[Cretox State]

“Ambassador, you want our nation to pay for your endeavours in blowing up asteroids? Frankly, this is a waste of the World Assembly’s time and money! We would prefer that our WA funds be used for the benefit of people, not sci-fi space projects!”

"Eh... moreso the deorbiting of asteroids, to be honest. This is hardly a 'sci-fi space project,' seeing as a plethora of member nations possess well-equipped space programs that could be used on a voluntary basis, and considering the general usefulness and efficiency of actively removing orbital debris. While we do commend the efforts of GAR #349 'To Prevent Dangerous Debris,' passive mitigation is unfortunately not a sustainable long-term solution."

[Graintfjall]

Holding a sheet of paper over her head as protection against any stray debris falling to Earth:

“Why is everyone suddenly so obsessed with this particular topic?”

-- Júlía Maria Jónsdóttir
Economic Advisor to the Græntfjall WA Mission

[Comfed]

“Ambassador, you want our nation to pay for your endeavours in blowing up asteroids? Frankly, this is a waste of the World Assembly’s time and money! We would prefer that our WA funds be used for the benefit of people, not sci-fi space projects!”

"Eh... moreso the deorbiting of asteroids, to be honest. This is hardly a 'sci-fi space project,' seeing as a plethora of member nations possess well-equipped space programs that could be used on a voluntary basis, and considering the general usefulness and efficiency of actively removing orbital debris. While we do commend the efforts of GAR #349 'To Prevent Dangerous Debris,' passive mitigation is unfortunately not a sustainable long-term solution."

“Ambassador, nations have better things to do than clear up space.”

[Cretox State]

"Eh... moreso the deorbiting of asteroids, to be honest. This is hardly a 'sci-fi space project,' seeing as a plethora of member nations possess well-equipped space programs that could be used on a voluntary basis, and considering the general usefulness and efficiency of actively removing orbital debris. While we do commend the efforts of GAR #349 'To Prevent Dangerous Debris,' passive mitigation is unfortunately not a sustainable long-term solution."

“Ambassador, nations have better things to do than clear up space.”

"First off, nations would not be required to clear up space themselves. Second, our shadowy cabal contacts have provided us with several pieces of information for your delegation's perusal: 1, 2, 3."

[Comfed]

“Ambassador, nations have better things to do than clear up space.”

"First off, nations would not be required to clear up space themselves. Second, our shadowy cabal contacts have provided us with several pieces of information for your delegation's perusal: 1, 2, 3."

“Eh, ambassador, if this ‘debris’ of which you speak of only poses threats to, eh, spaceships, then why are we concerned about it?”

[Kenmoria]

(OOC: If I remember correctly, AoE proposals need to fit at least a significant strength. This only has one encouragement on member states, so probably won’t fit that bill, since so much involves the committee performing actions.)

[Cretox State]

(OOC: If I remember correctly, AoE proposals need to fit at least a significant strength. This only has one encouragement on member states, so probably won’t fit that bill, since so much involves the committee performing actions.)

OOC: In that case, I suppose Environmental or IS Mild could work.

[Omniabstracta]

“The current definition of debris excludes stable solar Lagrange points—which, though useful for positioning spacecraft and prone to the accumulation of debris, ‘circle’ the parent star and not the associated body—as well as any orbits around gaseous objects. Terrestrial is a specific term, and we find its usage here to replace ‘celestial body’ overly narrow.”

[Tinfect]

"The Imperium objects to the idea that our logistical operations may be subject to 'approval' by a foreign entity; it is no matter of the World Assembly's concern when the Imperium chooses to remove decommissioned craft from their decommission orbits for processing, nor should similar projects which occur daily within the Imperium be subject to foreign review and delays."

[Bananaistan]

Permits the IASA to use the applicable resources of member nations for the purposes of this resolution on a voluntary basis;

"Who pays where a member state does not volunteer resources?"