Orbital debris policy issues: Battelle involvement and some personal observations

The possible hazards presented by orbital debris have been a matter of concern since the early 1960s. The area of initial concern was the potential hazard of the Earth from reentering debris. In the very early days of the space program, it was believed that only specially protected objects would survive reentry. Subsequent events showed this to be incorrect. The recognition of the potential hazard of orbital debris to orbiting objects did not occur until the late 1970s. Concern over this potential hazard has increased, and has also given rise to a number of policy issues. These issues are, at present, largely unresolved.