Juan Cruz Allonca, director of the Interdisciplinary Center for Space Studies (CIEE), warned that space debris has doubled over the past 15 years, according to data collected by the European Space Agency (ESA). Currently, debris fragments measuring between one and 10 centimeters total around 1,200,000, which amounts to 13,900 tons. Of these, only 41,200 can be tracked and catalogued. For objects smaller than a cellphone, mathematical models confirm their presence but not their exact location. The issue is that these fragments travel in low Earth orbit at 27,000 kilometers per hour, meaning they can destroy any object they come into contact with. “Low Earth orbit is an area of congestion and contention,” he added.

An object, after about 60 years in space, begins to fall back to Earth. According to a study conducted last October by the CIEE itself, more debris has reentered over Argentina and Latin America in the past five years than in the previous 15. Meanwhile, the number of satellites that mega constellations plan to launch will pose a challenge for industry, governments and the scientific community. “If this continues at the current rate, space will become inaccessible in just a few years,” he warned.

The proposed solutions to this scenario fall into two main strategies. The first is mitigation, implementing various measures to prevent the further increase of debris. The second is remediation, which involves using space debris removal systems. However, this approach faces technical, legal and geopolitical challenges.

Regarding regulation of space debris, the five international treaties that govern space were written between the 1960s and 1970s and do not address this issue. Some countries have adopted national legislation to regulate the matter. The United States was the first to fine a company for failing to properly deorbit a satellite. Meanwhile, efforts to mitigate the situation are being made through standards, best practices, guidelines and recommendations.