Uncontrolled: debris reentries and space governance CGLG Research Conversation with Ewan Wright (University of British Columbia)

At this CGLG Research Conversation, Ewan Wright (University of British Columbia) will share insights from his research on space governance. About once a week, a large, discarded satellite or rocket stage will return to Earth uncontrolled and pieces of debris will reach the ground intact. There's a growing chance – currently of about 2-4% each year – that someone, somewhere will get hit by this debris. There's also a chance of an aircraft being hit, and of precautionary airspace closures. It is possible to avoid these risks entirely by using ‘controlled reentries' into the ocean, but these are generally more expensive. We can also design spacecraft to burn up entirely in the atmosphere, but this may harm the ozone or impact the climate. How do we balance these risks? How can we transition to a safer reentry regime? Can we do so before an accident happens?