We are in an age of rapid technological advancement and scientific exploration. Still, humanity also stands at a crossroads for space — one that demands unprecedented international cooperation to safeguard our shared orbital space environment upon which so much of our modern lives depend. As an astrophysicist, space scientist, and strong advocate for scientific collaboration, I have long believed that the future of space exploration and sustainable exploitation hinges on building bridges — both literal and figurative — between nations to promote effective space situational awareness (SSA) and sustainable space practices. Failure to do so risks the catastrophic destruction of space assets from orbital debris accumulation, endangering the viability of the low earth orbit (LEO), which could be rendered unusable for generations. The threat is real and could occur by 2035, according to some simulations. There is no time to waste.
LEO, where most satellites are located, is a finite, increasingly congested resource occupied by new and defunct satellites, spent rocket stages and fragments, resulting from past collisions and explosions. According to NASA, the number of trackable objects (>10 centimeters) exceeds 35,000, of which only 25 percent are active satellites. Perhaps 150 million more pieces are too small to track (<10 cm) but capable of causing significant damage. A 1 cm debris particle moving at 8 kilometers per second typically has the explosive power of a grenade. The rapidly accumulating debris and the massively growing LEO satellite population significantly increase the risk of triggering an unstoppable chain reaction as more collisions create more debris, which then causes further collisions in a cascading wave of destruction — the Kessler Syndrome. The consequences are dire: a space debris Armageddon would eliminate most vital satellite services — navigation, communication, weather and environmental monitoring, and destroy all crewed space stations. The stakes are high, and the need for a collective response has never been more urgent. Our response? Adding thousands more low-earth satellites per year and talk, talk, and talk, but with little coordinated action.
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I believe the solution begins with building bridges through establishing trust, dialogue, and shared responsibility among nations. Space is a global commons; no single country owns it. Yet, current collaborative efforts are fragmented, with national interests and geopolitics taking precedence over the urgent, collective sustainability efforts required. If this silo mentality is not replaced soon, it will be “game over”. History has shown that international treaties, such as the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, laid foundational principles for responsible conduct. However, these agreements are no longer fit for purpose and lack enforceable measures for debris mitigation and active debris removal. To safeguard our orbital environment, we must go beyond weak, unenforceable, old treaties and foster genuine international partnerships and shared responsibility, including research and development (R&D). We need this asap.
Strong space-faring powers like the United States, China, Russia, the European Union, and emerging space nations like India recognize that space debris and SSA are shared, urgent challenges that require common, practical solutions. What is missing is the accompanying coordinated, intense action. Bodies such as the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs are vital, respected platforms. Still, they need to be complemented by concrete, international collaborative projects, proper funding, and data sharing among the major players. These do not currently exist in any powerful form.
SSA — the ability to detect, track, and predict the movement of space objects — is the cornerstone of debris mitigation and collision avoidance strategies. Developing a comprehensive, real-time SSA network requires pooling resources, reliable data, and cross-border expertise. China has made significant strides in SSA, establishing dedicated tracking facilities and contributing to international SSA data sharing. Such initiatives exemplify how openness and cooperation can enhance LEO safety. When nations share SSA data, they can create a comprehensive map of orbital traffic, reducing the risk of accidental collisions. However, data sharing remains limited by geopolitical concerns, national security considerations, and proprietary interests. Overcoming these barriers necessitates building mutual trust — another bridge — through transparent communication and agreed standards. International frameworks will incentivize data sharing, perhaps through joint missions and collaborative R&D.
Hong Kong can emerge as a global player, capable of forging vital international connections. As a leading financial hub, superconnector and unique bridge builder between East and West, the city possesses strengths that can catalyze and turbocharge international collaboration in space sustainability.
First, Hong Kong’s robust financial sector can facilitate funding and investment in space debris mitigation and SSA technology development. By establishing dedicated funds and venture capital initiatives, Hong Kong can incentivize private-sector innovation in satellite design, debris removal technologies, and data analytics. Public-private partnerships rooted in Hong Kong’s vibrant entrepreneurial environment could accelerate breakthroughs.
Second, as a global financial, mediation, and legal hub, Hong Kong can serve as an arbitration center and mediator in international space disputes, particularly over orbital slots, debris responsibility, and data sharing protocols. The city’s legal expertise and trusted regulatory frameworks can help craft equitable global agreements that foster trust among nations.
Third, Hong Kong’s elite academic and research institutions, such as the University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, can lead regional capacity-building initiatives. By hosting international conferences, workshops, and joint research projects focused on space sustainability, Hong Kong can position itself as a hub for science, technology, engineering, and maths education and innovation in this vital arena.
Finally, as part of China’s broader space ambitions, Hong Kong can facilitate international outreach and diplomacy, foster dialogue and collaboration among diverse stakeholders, and promote the message that space is a shared heritage requiring collective, effective stewardship.
As an example of what can be done, my colleague and fellow bridge builder Dr Farid Gamgami, vice-director of the Key Laboratory for Satellite Digital Technology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, organized a space sustainability session during the Pujiang Innovation Forum in Shanghai in September where delegates from the United Kingdom, Germany, Portugal, Turkiye and the Maldives came together with Chinese scientists to discuss urgent space sustainability issues.
We must implement sustainable practices to minimize debris creation. This includes satellites and rockets with end-of-life deorbit plans (already mandated in many jurisdictions, including China), adopting debris mitigation guidelines, and developing active debris removal technologies. The concept of active, global “space traffic management” is also gaining traction. It envisions a coordinated system where nations work together to regulate satellite launches, orbits, and deorbit procedures. Establishing shared databases and communication protocols can prevent orbital conflicts and accidental collisions. International funding and technological innovation are crucial to these efforts. The development of robotic debris removal systems, laser ablation techniques, and other debris clean-up methods holds promise.
To institutionalize these collaborative efforts, we need a robust, inclusive global governance framework, akin to the International Maritime Organization or the International Civil Aviation Organization, that sets binding standards for space conduct.
Such a framework should encompass shared data repositories for SSA information, uniform debris mitigation standards for satellite design and operations, and active debris removal commitments, with transparent reporting and dispute resolution mechanisms to address conflicts and debris responsibility. Building this framework requires robust but diplomatic dialogue, trust-building, and recognition that space is an extension of our planetary responsibility. Hong Kong’s diplomatic, compliance, arbitration and legal expertise can facilitate such negotiations and ensure that the framework remains fair, transparent, and effective.
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Ultimately, building bridges is about nurturing a culture of shared responsibility and stewardship. Future generations will inherit the orbital environment we leave behind. If we act unilaterally and selfishly, the consequences will be dire, not just for space activities but for life on Earth itself. Educational initiatives, youth programs, and public awareness campaigns can foster a global ethos of responsible space use. Recognizing space as a common heritage encourages nations and individuals to prioritize sustainability over short-term gains. Hong Kong’s vibrant civil society and elite tertiary educational institutions can catalyze this cultural shift, promoting awareness and responsibility across borders.
The path forward is clear: Building bridges, diplomacy, technology, and culture, are essential to safeguarding our orbital environment. As our space activities proliferate, collaboration must be our guiding principle. Only through collective action can we prevent the Kessler Syndrome from becoming a reality on what threatens to be increasingly shorter timescales. We must ensure space remains a realm of exploration, innovation, commercialization, and peace for generations to come. Hong Kong, with its strategic position and unique capabilities under the “one country, two systems” framework, can be a vital conduit for this global effort, transforming the city into a beacon of international cooperation for space sustainability.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
The author is director of the Lab for Space Research at the University of Hong Kong.
