Cascading Crises: Orbital Debris and the Widening of Space Security

What is it about?

The problem of space debris or junk in orbit has attracted universal concern. What has escaped attention however, is the politics and security implications of debris removal technology and what the various understandings of the term 'space security' actually implies. This article examines the diverse interpretations of 'space security' and argues that, with space debris as a case study, security in space should concern exceptional political-military threats and solutions, not everyday environmental hazards, regardless of their severity. Treating environmental problems with security language risks militarising something that does not require a military-orientated solution.

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Why is it important?

This work is one of few attempts to discuss the politics and security language of space security and the space debris issue. With each passing year, more and more countries and non-state actors explore debris removal technologies - which are residual space weapons. The relevance of such technology and the questions raised by this article will only grow with time as debris becomes a more acute problem in Earth orbit.