Could a $200K bond prevent a space junk disaster?
The space around Earth is increasingly cluttered with debris, posing a growing threat to safe and sustainable space utilization. To address this issue, a group of researchers proposes a refundable $200,000 bond system for satellite operators before launch. This bond would be refundable with interest upon successful deorbiting of the satellite.
If a satellite fails to deorbit, the bond money could go towards a shared pool funding active debris-removal missions. The researchers believe this policy could deter satellite operators from leaving junk in orbit, as it would require them to pay a significant deposit. While international coordination would be needed, implementing such a policy on a national level could be a more practical approach.
The authors estimate that even if the scheme only covered 20% of global satellite launches, it could reduce the number of derelict satellites by 18%.
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