Governor of CST: Space Debris Call to Address Challenges
The Governor of the Communications, Space, and Technology Authority (CST) Mohammed Al Tamimi, stated that the Space Debris Conference in Riyadh is not just a meeting of experts but a call to address challenges in this regard.
He affirmed the Saudi Space Agency’s commitment to collaborating with the international community in reducing the risks of debris, reported Al Arabiya.
He explained, during his address at the opening session of the conference, that the world plans to launch more than 30,000 satellites over the next six years. This number represents three times the number of satellites that were launched in the past sixty years.
During the last 6 decades, 12,000 satellites were launched, including 9,000 that are currently active. The governor affirmed that a huge number of satellites will be launched by 2030.
Volume of Space Debris
If not controlled, the space debris will keep growing. Initial estimates suggest that there are more than 34,000 pieces of debris in space, each taller than 6 meters and another one million varying between one to ten centimeters. In addition, 130 million pieces are less than one centimeter.
However, these numbers will change and that is why the world needs to tackle this issue.
Space Debris Conference
The first edition of the “Space Debris” conference kicked off today, Sunday, in Riyadh. Under the slogan ” Securing the Future Growth of the Global Space Economy”, this conference is the first of its kind in the region.
Conference’s Participants
The Chairman of the Saudi Space Agency Abdullah Al-Swaha and the CEO of the Saudi Space Agency Mohammed bin Saud Al-Tamimi attended the conference.
Moreover, the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Doreen Bogdan Martin and the Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) Simonetta Di Pippo took part in this significant event.
The Saudi Space Agency organized the conference in cooperation with the Communications, Space and Technology Authority and United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA).
Objectives of the Conference
The conference aims to create a global platform to enhance international cooperation to address the challenges of space debris. It further aims to enhance communication, build partnerships, and exchange expertise among global, regional, and local entities active in the space sector.
The conference is working on encouraging deepening partnerships between government agencies, the private sector, and academic institutions. These partnerships will culminate in finding innovative solutions to the sector’s challenges, including reducing the impact of space debris.
It is expected that the conference will lead to translating visions and ideas into effective actions. Thus, the global space sector eagerly anticipates the outcomes of this leading space event,. It will contribute to enhancing the Kingdom’s position in the peaceful exploration of space and in developing and securing the future of the global space economy.
Addressing the Growing Concern of Space Debris
Conversely, as space exploration advances, the issue of space debris has escalated, posing risks to satellites and space missions. The Saudi Space Agency’s initiative to convene experts and scientists underscores its commitment to addressing these challenges. The event further aims to foster international collaboration and innovate solutions to risks associated with space debris.
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