Earth Observation Stakeholders & Space Sustainability: Why You Should Care

This event took take place at the 2022 Geospatial World Forum.

The space domain is currently experiencing a rapid diversification and increase in the number of actors involved in space activities. More than 70 states, commercial companies, and international organizations currently operate nearly 5000 satellites in Earth orbit. The increased availability of space technology and capabilities has both advantages and disadvantages. It has spurred innovation, lowering of costs, and greater access to capabilities and services available from satellites for all. However, the growth in space activities and the influx of new actors also has the potential to exacerbate many of the current threats to the long-term sustainable use of space, such as on-orbit crowding, radio-frequency interference, the proliferation of space debris, and the chances of an incident in space sparking or escalating geopolitical tensions on Earth.

This panel highlighted the importance of the link between the value of space technology and space sustainability efforts in areas such as spectrum, space debris, and law and policy. Why should a data user care about these problems and what opportunities exist for ensuring they don’t affect future capabilities and data availability?

For more information, please contact Director of Space Applications Programs Krystal Azelton.