Orbiting Towards Sustainability: Crafting a Space-Focused Development Goal

At present, there are 17 SDGs, which were embraced by UN member states in 2015 as a global appeal to eliminate poverty, safeguard the planet for future generations, and guarantee that all individuals can experience peace and prosperity.

Nevertheless, with the increasing number of satellites and additional objects now in orbit around our planet, there is rising alarm that, without a form of international agreement, another of Earth’s once pristine environments is at risk of being permanently altered.

In an article published in the journal One Earth, a global collaboration of specialists—spanning fields such as satellite technology and ocean plastic pollution—have suggested an 18^th SDG focused on securing the integrity of Earth’s orbit.

The research indicates that approximately 100 nations are currently engaged in varying degrees of space activities, and since the 1950s, nearly 20,000 satellites have been placed into Earth’s orbit.

These satellites provide significant advantages to society, from overseeing ecosystems and bolstering global communication, to enabling services utilized by billions worldwide, such as satellite television and contactless banking transactions.

However, once they conclude their operational lifespan, the specialists indicate that neglected satellites, launch remnants, and debris resulting from explosions or impacts can accumulate as orbital waste. This increases the likelihood of collisions with operational satellites, which would not only hinder their functioning but would also contribute to a further rise in debris.

Though several organizations have started to acknowledge the necessity for action to tackle this issue, the authors assert that an additional SDG could yield the international consensus and mechanisms for effective enforcement needed to confront the challenge.

They suggest that the new SDG18 could draw direct inspiration from one of the current objectives—SDG14: Life Below Water—employing lessons garnered in managing marine debris to avert another planetary crisis before it becomes too late.

They also emphasize that it would enhance the existing SDGs, which currently reference space technology due to its potential to improve understanding of global challenges, albeit not recognizing its potential to become a future concern in itself.

The article was co-authored by academics from the University of Plymouth, PBL Works, Arribada Initiative, University of Auckland, The University of Texas at Austin, Anturus Ltd, University of Maine, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Spaceport Cornwall, Slingshot Aerospace Ltd, and ZSL (Zoological Society of London).

This builds on a previous article published in Science in March 2023, where several of the same scientists advocated for a legally binding agreement to ensure that Earth’s orbit isn’t irreparably damaged by the future expansion of the global space industry.

Dr. Imogen Napper, Research Fellow at the University of Plymouth, led the new study with support from the National Geographical Society. She stated: “The urgency to protect and connect our natural ecosystems, from the ocean to Earth’s orbit, has never been more critical. Both are essential for the health of our planet, yet increasingly threatened by the stresses we impose on them. There is rising awareness that marine litter disregards international boundaries, and the same holds true for space debris. A UN-backed accord would be a vital step toward protecting Earth’s orbit for future generations.”

Professor Heather Koldewey, ZSL’s Head of Ocean and FAIRER Conservation, remarked: “Analogous to plastic pollution and climate change, space debris is an issue that crosses borders. Our ongoing initiatives to protect the ocean underscore how crucial UN-backed agreements are for addressing this predicament. It is essential that we learn from the challenges and solutions encountered in handling marine debris and take action now to safeguard our planet’s orbit.”

Dr. Thomas Dowling, Lecturer in Remote Sensing & Geospatial Science at The University of Auckland, expressed: “Not long ago, our oceans were perceived as infinite resources to exploit and endless sinks for our waste. We now realize that this perspective was profoundly erroneous—many marine environments are now desolate wastelands, and over eight million tons of plastic waste is predicted to enter the ocean each year. Earth’s orbit is similarly a finite environment, and carelessly exploiting the orbital space is repeating past mistakes. It’s imperative to devise policies to regulate what we are introducing into space, ensuring that objects entering orbit are safe, sustainable, and serving vital—if not important—purposes for large populations globally.”

Melissa Quinn, General Manager of the International Business Unit at Slingshot Aerospace, added: “The suggested 18^th Sustainable Development Goal is a critical step toward preserving Earth’s orbit for future generations. Space is integral to our everyday existence, from global communications to understanding climate change; however, the rapid surge in satellite launches—2,877 in 2023 alone (approximately a 15% increase from 2022)—has led to a heightened risk of collisions and debris. In 2024, we observed a 17% annual increase in the average number of close encounters in low earth orbit per satellite on Slingshot Beacon, Slingshot’s space traffic coordination tool. With over 12,500 spacecraft currently orbiting our world, including more than 3,300 inactive satellites, immediate, coordinated global action is necessary to ensure that space remains safe, sustainable, and secure. This SDG presents a powerful opportunity to protect the advantages of space for all humankind.