United States studies in orbital debris - Prevention and mitigation

Debris in space has become an issue that has commanded considerable interest in recent years as society has become both more dependent upon space based systems, and more aware of its dependence. After many years of study the United States Space Policy of February 1988 directed that all sectors of the U.S. community minimize space debris. Other space organizations have adopted similar policies. Among the study activities leading to the policy and to subsequent implementing directives were discussions with the ESA, NASDA, and other space operating agencies. The policy derived from technical consensus on the nature of the issues and upon the courses of action available to mitigate the problem, but there remains the concern as to the adequacy of the data to define cost effective strategies. There are now in place mechanisms to continue technical discussions in more formal terms.