As humanity's reach extends further into the cosmos, the urgency to protect space as a shared resource grows. With thousands of satellites now orbiting Earth and space debris multiplying, the sustainability of space is no longer a niche concern -- it’s a necessity.
We’re at a crossroads where the choices we make today will define the future of space exploration and, intriguingly, our planet’s climate as well.
The problem is stark: abandoned rockets, defunct satellites, and fragments from past collisions are turning low-Earth orbit into a cosmic junkyard. This debris travels at speeds up to 17,500 mph, posing collision risks to operational spacecraft, like the International Space Station.
A single crash could trigger a chain reaction, known as the Kessler Syndrome, rendering orbits unusable. It’s a scenario that threatens not just satellites but the very technologies we rely on for weather forecasts, communications, and even climate monitoring.
But it’s not just about avoiding disasters. Space sustainability means using space responsibly, ensuring future generations can explore and benefit from it too. Efforts are underway: companies like SpaceX are designing satellites with de-orbiting mechanisms, and initiatives like the UN’s Guidelines for the Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities promote tracking debris and minimizing new waste.
The connection to climate action is tighter than you might think. Satellites play a critical role in monitoring Earth’s climate -- tracking deforestation, melting ice caps, and carbon emissions. A sustainable space environment ensures these eyes in the sky keep working, helping us tackle climate challenges on Earth.
In Pakistan, there’s a budding movement. I took a humble step to start this journey by co-founding Space Guardian with my counterpart Usman Ali Awan, who initiated this idea, Pakistan’s first space sustainability research company, while working with the National Assembly of Pakistan’s SDG Secretariat on climate action in 2023.
Through awareness campaigns and consultative sessions, we’re pushing for smarter launches, better tracking, and responsible practices -- carving a niche for Pakistan in this global challenge. Imagine the possibilities: improved satellite data could help predict monsoon patterns more accurately, aiding agriculture and disaster preparedness in a country as vulnerable as ours.
The intertwining of space and climate is evident in how orbital debris contributes, albeit indirectly, to Earth’s environmental strain. Rocket launches emit greenhouse gases, and the growing number of satellites increases the risk of collisions, which in turn create more debris. It’s a loop we need to break.
By promoting green launch technologies, like reusable rockets, and pushing for international norms on space debris management, we can align space sustainability with climate goals. Pakistan, with its growing space program and climate vulnerabilities, has an opportunity to lead by example.
From implementing stricter regulations for satellite disposal to investing in debris-cleanup technologies, the path forward requires collaboration. The space around Earth is a shared playground -- keeping it safe is a responsibility we all share. Now’s the time to turn awareness into action, engaging governments, industries, and communities to ensure the stars remain a frontier for discovery, not danger. Whether it’s enhancing regional cooperation in South Asia for space data sharing or inspiring young minds to innovate green space solutions, the potential is vast.
As we gaze up at the night sky, the stars remind us of our shared future. Protecting space is protecting Earth. It’s about leaving a legacy where technology serves humanity, not just orbits it. The journey’s just begun, and with collective effort, we can make sure space remains a sustainable frontier for climate action too.
The writer is a consultant to Young Parliamentarians Forum Provincial Assembly of Punjab.
