ORBITAL DEBRIS - STATUS AND POSSIBILITIES FOR CONTROL

This article is a shortened version of a position paper on orbital deb ris compiled by an Ad hoc Expert Group of the International Academy of Astronautics' Committee on Safety, Rescue and Quality. Its objectives were to elaborate on the need and urgency for action and to indicate ways for its implementation. The article reviews debris control option s and methods ranging from those requiring no technology development t o those which require new and thus far untried developments.