The duty of State to protect the orbital environment

Over the last decade the space sector has expanded with massive growth in investment activity. The increasing utilization of space technology, including by private actors, is causing environmental hazards in space as well as pollution and degradation. Space debris mitigation and removal are under ongoing discussion within international competent fora, including at regional level. The international community has not yet provided future directions for any action related to space environmental safety. This paper intends to deepen our understanding of the State’s duty to protect the orbital environment according to the current space body of law. It mainly focuses on how to achieve sustainability thus looking at the impact of space activities performed in space. This is mostly related to finding effective solutions for protecting the space environment and enhancing peaceful uses of outer space, including the institution of ‘safety zones’ surrounding space activities. Is the institution of a ‘safety zone’ around space objects a lawful State-based solution for fulfilling its duty to protect the space environment?