Scientists are advocating for a legally-binding treaty to ensure that the Earth's immediate surroundings are not irreparably damaged by the rapid expansion of the global space industry.
The number of satellites in orbit is expected to increase from 9,000 today to more than 60,000 by 2030, with already more than 100 trillion untracked pieces of old satellites circling the planet.
While satellite technology provides a broad range of social and environmental benefits, the predicted growth of the industry could make large parts of Earth's orbit unusable.
An international collaboration of experts — including researchers from the University of Plymouth, Arribada Initiative, The University of Texas at Austin, California Institute of Technology, Nasa Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Spaceport Cornwall and the Zoological Society of London — have published an article in the journal Science outlining the urgent need for global consensus on how best to govern Earth's orbit.
They propose a legally-binding treaty that includes measures to introduce producer and user responsibility for satellites and debris, from the time they launch onwards.
The experts said that commercial costs should also be considered when looking at ways to incentivise accountability, similar to proposals to address ocean plastic pollution, as countries begin negotiations for the Global Plastics Treaty.
Unless action is taken immediately, large parts of Earth's immediate surroundings risk the same fate as the high seas, where insubstantial control has led to overfishing, habitat destruction, deep-sea mining exploration and plastic pollution, the scientists said.
Dr Imogen Napper, a Research Fellow at the University of Plymouth who led the study, said there has been limited collaborative action and implementation has been slow with regards to plastic pollution, and many of the other challenges facing our oceans, which are now attracting global attention. She said it was important to avoid making the same mistakes and work collectively to prevent a tragedy in space by taking into consideration what has been learnt from the oceans.
The authors argue that a global agreement is necessary to prevent large parts of our planet's immediate surroundings from suffering a similar fate to the world's oceans.
Humanity needs to take responsibility for our behaviours in space now, not later, the study says.
The study received funding from the National Geographical Society and was co-authored by scientists who contributed to the commitment to develop a Global Plastics Treaty, which was signed by 170 world leaders at the UN Environment Assembly in March last year.
They are now encouraging all leaders to take note of the significance of this next step and become jointly accountable for safeguarding the future of the planet.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
2.0
Director: S Shankar
Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films
Cast: Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List
James Mustich, Workman
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Fourth-round clashes for British players
- Andy Murray (1) v Benoit Paire, Centre Court (not before 4pm)
- Johanna Konta (6) v Caroline Garcia (21), Court 1 (4pm)
Takreem Awards winners 2021
Corporate Leadership: Carl Bistany (Lebanon)
Cultural Excellence: Hoor Al Qasimi (UAE)
Environmental Development and Sustainability: Bkerzay (Lebanon)
Environmental Development and Sustainability: Raya Ani (Iraq)
Humanitarian and Civic Services: Women’s Programs Association (Lebanon)
Humanitarian and Civic Services: Osamah Al Thini (Libya)
Excellence in Education: World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) (Qatar)
Outstanding Arab Woman: Balghis Badri (Sudan)
Scientific and Technological Achievement: Mohamed Slim Alouini (KSA)
Young Entrepreneur: Omar Itani (Lebanon)
Lifetime Achievement: Suad Al Amiry (Palestine)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Brief scores:
Huesca 0
Real Madrid 1
Bale 8'
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Checks continue
A High Court judge issued an interim order on Friday suspending a decision by Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots to direct a stop to Brexit agri-food checks at Northern Ireland ports.
Mr Justice Colton said he was making the temporary direction until a judicial review of the minister's unilateral action this week to order a halt to port checks that are required under the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Civil servants have yet to implement the instruction, pending legal clarity on their obligations, and checks are continuing.
PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Favourite things
Luxury: Enjoys window shopping for high-end bags and jewellery
Discount: She works in luxury retail, but is careful about spending, waits for sales, festivals and only buys on discount
University: The only person in her family to go to college, Jiang secured a bachelor’s degree in business management in China
Masters: Studying part-time for a master’s degree in international business marketing in Dubai
Vacation: Heads back home to see family in China
Community work: Member of the Chinese Business Women’s Association of the UAE to encourage other women entrepreneurs
Match info
Karnataka Tuskers 110-3
J Charles 35, M Pretorius 1-19, Z Khan 0-16
Deccan Gladiators 111-5 in 8.3 overs
K Pollard 45*, S Zadran 2-18
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The Bio
Name: Lynn Davison
Profession: History teacher at Al Yasmina Academy, Abu Dhabi
Children: She has one son, Casey, 28
Hometown: Pontefract, West Yorkshire in the UK
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite Author: CJ Sansom
Favourite holiday destination: Bali
Favourite food: A Sunday roast
