Investigating Orbital Debris Mitigation Regime Development In the United States

This article examines the orbital debris mitigation regimes administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It explores the statutory foundations that empower each agency’s regulatory authority and assesses how their respective mission-authorisation processes address or exacerbate gaps in the United States’ approach to debris management. The current fragmented framework, spread across multiple agencies with overlapping jurisdictions, has created inefficiencies and regulatory blind spots, undermining effective mitigation as space becomes increasingly congested. While the FCC has updated its licensing requirements and the FAA and NOAA have proposed targeted rules on launch-vehicle disposal and remote-sensing activities, respectively, these measures remain piecemeal. The article argues that a unified, streamlined mission-authorisation framework, aligned with international best practice and treaty obligations, is essential to ensure regulatory clarity, foster interagency collaboration, and incentivise innovation. By prioritising a cohesive debris-mitigation regime, the United States can safeguard orbital sustainability and maintain its leadership in the global space economy.