Space debris threatens human safety in space and puts at risk critical space-based infrastructure that supports services such as the internet, global navigation and climate monitoring. A new project from the EPFL International Risk Governance Center (IRGC) , in collaboration with the EPFL Space Center (eSpace) and Space Innovation , is studying the governance of risks related to space debris and assessing policy options to ensure the safe and sustainable use of space. Human activity in space is accelerating rapidly. In 2020 alone, 1,200 satellites were launched. While there are currently around 3,400 operational satellites in space, there are plans to launch up to 60,000 more in the next decade. Many of these will make up large satellite constellations, which will provide telecommunication services. However, each additional item put into space increases the risk of collision and the potential generation of new pieces of debris.
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