The Importance of Space Sustainability for the Continuity of Scientific Services

Space sustainability has become a critical issue as the increasing number of orbital objects poses significant risks to space-based services, scientific research, and technological progress. Key challenges include space debris, radio frequency interference (RFI), and orbital congestion, which jeopardize essential scientific activities such as Earth observation, meteorology, and radio astronomy. International organizations, including the United Nations (UN), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), have developed frameworks to address these challenges through debris mitigation, spectrum management, and collaborative guidelines. This paper explores the historical evolution and current challenges of space sustainability, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in implementing sustainable practices. Initiatives such as the ITU's Best Practices Handbook, the COPUOS 2018 Guidelines, and the Dark and Quiet Skies (DQS) project highlight global efforts to preserve orbital and spectral resources. Advancing Space Situational Awareness (SSA) capabilities, fostering international collaboration, and strengthening regulatory frameworks are identified as key priorities to ensure the long-term usability of outer space and the continuity of vital scientific services.