An appraisal of current and future risks from space debris is presente
d with the aid of calculations carried out by the MASTER model. The ef
ficacy of various technical options - such as fuel venting, de-orbitin
g and use of a graveyard orbit: - for counteracting the problem is dis
cussed. The article then focuses on governmental and international coo
perative measures and looks at the recent work done by subcommittees o
f the UN COPUOS. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.