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Mitigating Debris Key to Safe Space Operations
As the commercialization of space continues to advance, the number of active satellites in orbit is expected to significantly increase, posing a challenge to maintaining a safe and clean operating landscape. With over 1.2 million pieces of debris in Earth’s orbit, mitigating the impact of space debris is critical. The space community is responding with efforts such as the UN’s focus on space safety and sustainability, the European Space Agency’s Zero Debris strategy, and the development of debris-removal technology. According to David Zamora, chairman of the Space Data Association, sustainability may become a core principle for the industry, but it will require sustained and collaborative effort. This article was first published on Space.com.