ESA Engages SpaceX on Space Debris Charter

The European Space Agency (ESA) is in discussions with SpaceX regarding the company's potential participation in the Zero Debris charter, aimed at curbing the increasing problem of space debris by 2030. ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher noted that 110 countries and entities have already joined this initiative, which is essential for the safety of operational satellites in orbit. Currently, SpaceX's Starlink satellites constitute about two-thirds of the active satellites in low Earth orbit, with approximately 6,300 out of 10,300 total active satellites belonging to SpaceX. Meanwhile, other companies like China and Amazon are launching their satellite constellations, with Amazon already signed on to the Zero Debris charter. The current count of trackable space debris in orbit stands at 18,897 pieces, raising concerns about the absence of binding international laws to manage this growing issue. Aschbacher emphasized that while ESA is not a regulatory body, it is crucial to keep discussions around space debris management ongoing.