About This Research

When I began this project, I thought the issue of space debris was mainly a technical one and that the technology needed for debris removal did not yet exist. Instead, I discovered that the technology for removing debris already exists. Technologies such as robotic capture arms, magnetic docking systems, and electrodynamic tethers have already been successfully demonstrated. The technology is already in place and continues to improve. The obstacle is not scientific in nature but instead lies in a clause of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. That realization completely changed how I viewed the problem. Rather than waiting for better technology, the real challenge is determining whether international law can adapt quickly enough to address problems it was never designed to handle.

What I would most like to know is whether growing public awareness of orbital debris has any meaningful impact on shaping space policy. While public opinion may play a role, industry lobbying, bilateral agreements, and regulatory pressure may influence policy independently of what the public knows or cares about. For example, the FCC’s Five-Year Rule was adopted with little public attention, and the 1967 Outer Space Treaty was negotiated exclusively between governments. If that pattern continues, awareness campaigns alone may not be enough to drive legal reform. Instead, it may be more important to understand which institutional levers shape space legislation and who has access to them. To answer that question, I would like to study the history of the FCC’s decision in greater detail, including who advocated for the rule, which arguments proved most persuasive, and whether a similar approach could be applied at the international level.