AwaitingLaunch_1397728623369

Interference is accidental in most cases but reports show that deliberate
interference occurrences are growing in frequency. There is no easy
resolution, since identifying the source of accidental interference is hard
enough, whereas identification of the source and resolution of deliberate
interference is almost impossible when the interferer knows his job.
International deliberate interference is also a common occurrence now and
existing regulations are, unfortunately, not enough to stop such deliberate
interference.
The Code could handle this issue by giving it higher importance, placing this
topic under a separate title since it is a major problem and is completely
different from physical space debris. Existing work being carried out to
prevent harmful interference could be promoted. For this purpose, a separate
working group could be established by subscribing entities to promote
cooperation over interference avoidance activities, education and technology.
Such a working group could contribute through the publication of guidelines
and standards to avoid interference. In addition, improving communication
by means of a common interference database between entities to report and
resolve interference occurrences is crucial.
“4.4. To that purpose, they resolve to adopt and implement, in accordance
with their own internal processes, the appropriate policies and procedures or
other effective measures in order to implement the Space Debris Mitigation
Guidelines of the United Nations Committee for the Peaceful Uses of Outer
Space as endorsed by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 62/217
(2007).” Apart from the Outer Space Treaty and the Liability Convention,
both of which concern state liability for damage caused by satellites in space,
there are no treaties regulating space debris but there are non-binding
international guidelines. For example, ýn December 2007, the United Nations
General Assembly endorsed the Debris Mitigation Guidelines adopted by its
COPUOS. The guidelines direct satellite and launch vehicle operators to
consider measures to limit the probability of accidental collisions in orbit.
In 2010, the International Telecommunication Union recommended “that
before complete exhaustion of its propellant, a geostationary satellite at the
end of its life should be removed from the GSO region” and be boosted to a
“graveyard” storage orbit, “such that under the influence of perturbing
forces on its trajectory, it would subsequently remain in an orbit with a
perigee no less than 200 km above the geostationary altitude.”
118 | Awaiting Launch: Perspectives on the Draft ICoC for Outer Space Activities