AwaitingLaunch_1397728623369

kick motors, malfunctioned satellites, pieces and bits of satellites or their
parts that may have exploded and to an extent micro, nano and cube satellites
that cannot be controlled from the earth even though they may still be
functional. Some of these objects may stay in the earth orbit for long periods
and can eventually collide and damage functional satellites or interfere with
space transport. Some of the common practices that generate space debris in
outer space are normal space transportation, in-orbit break-ups or collisions.
Advancement in space science and technology has led to the development of
instruments for monitoring space debris. This technology has shown that the
volume of space debris has been on the increase over the years. This has
generated a worrisome situation and caused space-agencies of several
countries to form the Inter Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee
(IADC). The committee was set up to provide the framework for
“exchanging information on space debris research activities between member
space agencies, facilitate opportunities for cooperation in space debris
research, review the progress of on-going activities and identify debris
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mitigation options”. The principles of IADC have been adopted by states,
private companies and international organisations. In fact, the IADC
recommendations contributed to the development of the ICoCfor Outer
Space Activities.
International Legal Framework
Space debris mitigation is one of the efforts being made by the international
community to ensure the sustainable use of outer space. The main objective
of space debris mitigation is to keep the earth orbit free from all man-made
objects that have the capacity to damage operational satellites or interfere
with space transportation so that such a valuable earth resource will continue
to be useful to humans of present and future generations. Since the Code of
Conduct requires subscribing states to reaffirm their commitment to the
Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration
and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and other Celestial Bodies
1967, (the Magna Carta of Space Law, hereinafter referred to as the Outer
Space Treaty) and the Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines of the
UNCOPUOS, among others, it is important to this paper to look at the
provisions thereof in this paper.
At the time that the Outer Space Treaty was negotiated and signed in 1967,
space debris had not become a problem; space security was the burning issue
146 | Awaiting Launch: Perspectives on the Draft ICoC for Outer Space Activities