Space: In addition to the European Space Agency, 12 countries have signed the Zero Debris Charter

Last November, the European Space Agency revealed “ The world's first zero debris charter “And today the agency advertisement That twelve countries signed it, ” Thus strengthening their commitment to the long-term sustainability of human activities in Earth orbit “.

This is the first time that countries are participating at the national level, in addition to the agency that has already signed it as an international organization (IGO): Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden and the United Kingdom. France is absent.

The European Space Agency adds: More than 100 organizations have pledged to join this space community-led initiative in the coming months Industrial and academic partners as well as NGOs are also expected to sign the charter at the beginning of June during an air show.

Remember, the issue of debris represents a significant risk to satellites in orbit (whether private or public) if they become too large. For example, ” A chip of paint or a small piece of metal no larger than a few thousandths of a millimeter in diameter » It caused one of the windows in the dome of the International Space Station to shatter.