Agenda

Implementing new environmental regulations into the existing everyday practices of satellite operators can be challenging. One pragmatic approach is to build on reliable and rigorous evidence to help guide the process.

But not everything in space is well understood and implementing regulations with limited underlying evidence can lead to disputes. One example is the unknown environmental impacts (on the upper atmosphere) of burning up satellites on re-entry.

Should we wait until we have reliable scientific evidence – that could take years – or do we look at alternative options to burning up satellites as a disposal options. If so, which options are realistic, and which are wishful thinking?