Ebook: Space Traffic Control (Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics Series)

Satellites, such as the global positioning system (GPS), form part of the infrastructure that is relied upon worldwide on a daily basis. The loss of such critical international infrastructure would have global consequences. Indeed, near-Earth space currently faces a potential tragedy of the commons due to an increasing population of debris objects that have been left in orbit around the Earth. These uncontrolled objects could create a cascade of collisions (the so-called Kessler syndrome), rendering low Earth orbit (LEO) largely unusable.

Fortunately, it is not yet too late. There are a variety of technical measures, which collectively can be described as space traffic control, which would maintain the near-Earth orbital regime as a place where humans can conduct vital operations. Space Traffic Control considers the systems and procedures which can provide solutions to the problem of space debris and concludes with recommended approaches.