Orbital debris requires prevention and mitigation across the satellite life cycle

Satellites are crowding orbital space, particularly Low Earth Orbit, exacerbating the risk of orbital debris. Here, measures across the satellite life cycle are recommended to promote space sustainability including stronger regulations, fiscal and market-based interventions, multilateral institutions, and active debris removal. Satellites are crowding orbital space, particularly Low Earth Orbit, exacerbating the risk of orbital debris. In this Commentary, Mia Bennett recommends measures across the satellite life cycle to promote space sustainability including stronger regulations, fiscal and market-based interventions, multilateral institutions and active debris removal.