Japan has initiated the development of international regulations to address the problem of space debris, which poses a threat to satellites, the International Space Station (ISS), and other orbital objects. This was reported by Kyodo News, citing official sources in the Japanese government.

Goals and Timeline of the Initiative
By March 2026, the Japanese government, in cooperation with experts, plans to develop legal and procedural frameworks for the disposal of space debris, such as rocket fragments, defunct satellites, and other remnants. The main focus is on the following aspects:

  • Object Identification: Establishing procedures for obtaining debris data from its owners—both governmental and private organizations.
  • Safe Disposal: Developing mechanisms for removing objects from orbit, including possible capture and deorbiting technologies.
  • International Cooperation: Preparing proposals for discussion at the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), scheduled for 2026.

This initiative aims to create global standards that will help minimize the risk of orbital collisions and ensure the sustainable use of space.

The Problem of Space Debris
According to the European Space Agency (ESA), there are about 36,500 objects larger than 10 cm in Earth's orbit, 1 million fragments between 1 and 10 cm, and 130 million particles smaller than 1 cm. These objects travel at speeds of up to 28,000 km/h, and even small fragments can cause serious damage to satellites or the ISS. For example, in 2021, the ISS had to perform an avoidance maneuver due to a fragment from the Soviet satellite "Kosmos-1408."

The increase in launches, especially by private companies such as SpaceX, worsens the problem. The Starlink satellite constellation alone has more than 6,000 satellites, some of which may eventually become debris. Without regulation, this situation threatens the future of space exploration, increasing the likelihood of a cascade effect (Kessler Syndrome), where collisions create more fragments, rendering orbit unusable.

Japan’s and Other Countries’ Efforts
Japan is already actively working on debris removal technologies. In 2020, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the Kounotori mission, which tested electrodynamic tether technology for satellite deorbiting. In addition, the Japanese startup Astroscale conducted a successful 2021 demonstration using the ELSA-d satellite equipped with a magnetic system to capture a simulated debris target.

Other countries are also developing solutions:

  • USA: Scientists at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque proposed using infrasound sensors to track space debris and meteoroids, potentially improving trajectory predictions.
  • Europe: ESA is developing the ClearSpace-1 mission, scheduled for 2026, which will test the capture of a large fragment (a Vega rocket remnant) using a robotic arm.
  • China: In 2022, China tested a satellite with a robotic arm for debris capture and is also developing laser systems to deflect small fragments.

Why This Matters
Space debris poses a growing threat to satellites that provide communication, navigation, and scientific research, as well as to crewed missions. For example, the 2009 collision between the "Iridium-33" and "Kosmos-2251" satellites created over 2,000 new fragments, increasing risk to other objects. Regulating debris removal is essential to prevent such incidents and preserve near-Earth space as a resource.

Japan’s initiative aims to establish unified international standards that will be mandatory for all space activity participants, including private companies. This is especially relevant in light of the growth of commercial spaceflight, where players such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Rocket Lab launch hundreds of satellites annually.

Prospects and Challenges
Rulemaking is only the first step. Key challenges include:

  • Legal Issues: Space debris often belongs to specific countries or companies, and its removal requires their consent. For example, according to the 1967 UN Outer Space Treaty, a state retains jurisdiction over its space objects.
  • Technological Barriers: Capturing and removing debris requires complex systems such as robotic arms, nets, or lasers, which are still under development.
  • Funding: Debris removal is expensive, and it is unclear who will bear the cost—governments, companies, or international organizations.

Japan plans to present its proposed rules for discussion at the UN to lay the groundwork for global cooperation. This may include requiring satellite operators to incorporate deorbit mechanisms (e.g., sails or tethers) at the design stage.

Conclusion
Japan's initiative to develop international rules for space debris removal is an important step toward ensuring the sustainable use of space. By March 2026, the country will present its proposals, which will serve as the basis for discussions at the UN Committee on Space. The success of this initiative depends on international cooperation and the development of technologies capable of effectively cleaning up orbit. As the number of satellites and launches increases, creating such regulations becomes critically important to preserve near-Earth space for future generations.