Space Sustainability: From Debris Management to Long-Term Growth in Outer Space Activities

Abstract

This thesis looks at the growing space economy and the urgent need for sustainability in space activities. As more private companies enter space and the amount of debris in Earth's orbit increases, it is important to develop sustainable practices to keep space safe and usable. The research discusses the current state of space sustainability, focusing on the problems caused by space debris and the tools available to address them. It reviews methods such as Active Debris Removal (ADR), Space Situational Awareness (SSA), and Space Traffic Management (STM), along with economic and legal approaches to managing space debris. The document also examines sustainability ratings and indexes, like the Space Sustainability Rating (SSR), which measure the environmental impact of space missions. A new idea, the Space Danger Index (SDi), is introduced to help predict the risk of collisions in space. The study highlights the need for global cooperation to ensure that space can be explored and used responsibly while supporting economic growth.