Should There Be An International Treaty Or Agreement Governing Behavior In Space?

摘要

There's clearly a need for responsible behavior in space. There's no formal agreement signed, but the United States and Russia agreed back in the 1990s that they would take efforts to minimize the likelihood of upper stages exploding after they had been on orbit for a while by adding vent valves, and we agreed that we would either plan on boosting satellites in geosynchronous orbit up to disposal orbits to make room for future satellites or de-orbit satellites in low Earth orbit at the end of their lives to prevent a hazard. These are all good things to do, and I think the United States needs to continue to lead the community of spacefaring nations.