250 pgs, 1994, Cambridge University Press
ISBN 978-0521445085

In this clearly written, non-technical volume, worldwide specialists address technical, economic, and legal issues involved in preserving near-Earth space as man-made debris becomes a critical problem. The views represent the interests of all the major spacefaring nations as well as NASA and the Department of Defense, and range from assessment of the problem to enforcement of multinational solutions.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section I - Introduction

1. Introduction
   
   Section II - Defining the Problem
   
2. The Earth Satellite Population: Official Growth and Constituents
3. The Current and Future Environment: An Overall Assessment
4. The Current and Future Space Debris Environment as Assessed in Europe
5. Human Survivability Issues in the Low Earth Orbit Space Debris Environment
6. Protecting the Space Environment for Astronomy
7. Effects of Space Debris on Commercial Spacecraft - The RADARSAT Example
8. Potential Effects of the Space Debris Environment on Military Space Systems
   
   Section III - Mitigation of and Adaptation to the Space Environment: Techniques and Practices
   
9. Precluding Post-Launch Fragmentation of Delta Stages
10. U.S. International and Interagency Cooperation in Orbital Debris
11. ESA Concepts for Space Debris Mitigation and Risk Reduction
12. Space Debris: How France Handles Mitigation and Adaptation
13. Facing Seriously the Issue of Protection of the Outer Space Environment
14. Space Debris - Mitigation and Adaptation
15. Near Earth Space Contamination and Counteractions
16. The Current and Future Space Debris Environment as Assessed in Japan
17. Orbital Debris Minimization and Mitigation Techniques
    
    Section IV - Economic Issues
    
18. In Pursuit of a Sustainable Space Environment: Economic Issues in Regulating Space Debris
19. The Economics of Space Operations: Insurance Aspects
    
    Section V - Legal Issues
    
20. Environmental Treatymaking: Lessons Learned for Controlling Pollution of Outer Space
21. Regulation of Orbital Debris - Current Status
22. Who Should Regulate the Space Environment: The Laissez-Faire, National, and Multinational Options
    
    Section VI - A Multilateral Treaty
    
23. Orbital Debris: Prospects for International Cooperation
24. Preservation of Near Earth Space for Future Generations: Current Initiatives on Space Debris in the United Nations
25. A Legal Regime for Orbital Debris: Elements of a Multilateral Treaty
    
    Section VII - Panel Discussions
    
26. Panel Discussion led by Diane Wood
27. Panel Discussion led by Paul Uhlir
28. Suggested Further Reading on Orbital Debris