Like it or not, space junk -- otherwise known as leftovers in orbit -- is a growing problem that threatens space commerce, space research, Earth observations in space, and the growing importance of communications in the world economy. So it's good to see that the European Space Agency is taking some steps to address the problem. If we had a world government with more finances devotable to such an issue, we could take even more steps.
ESA's Clean Space targets orbital debris and greener environment
Industry is contributing to ESA's draft plans for developing Clean Space technologies: new tools to assess environmental effects, more eco-friendly replacements for materials and techniques, and ways to halt the production of more space debris and bring down existing debris levels.
ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain emphasises that implementing Clean Space is a major objective of Agenda 2015, the Agency's upcoming action plan: "If we are convinced that space infrastructure will become more and more essential, then we must transmit the space environment to future generations as we found it, that is, pristine."
Good goals. Maybe it's a good plan.
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