Space Junk

From: Xenophile
To: spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, August 20, 2007 11:49:14 AM
Subject: [spacesettlers] Re: Space Junk

"I guess a good first question might be: who do you charge for yourservices? Governments of space-faring nations? The UN? Individual space hotels, aerospacelines, and powersat companies?"

As you indicated, perhaps a little of each.

Companies
The company paying for the launch would have some of that fee go into a fund that would cover the cleanup related to that satellite if, at the end of its useful service, it cannot be brought into a controlled return through the atmosphere. This is counter to the goal of reducing launch costs. Then again, it probably wouldn't happen until there are significantly more launches anyway.

UN and governments
At some point international treaties would have to assure responsible actions in orbit. If a country intentionally destroys a satellite or otherwise creates a lot of debris there could be some financial responsibility in tracking debris and collecting those parts expected to become hazardous. That would be similar to an environmental cleanup here on earth.