Riyadh, February 12, 2024, The "Space Debris" Conference has drawn to a close, featuring numerous sessions spotlighting "innovative solutions" and attracting over 260 experts, speakers, CEOs, and leaders from the global space sector. These sessions served as a platform for in-depth discussions on the challenges posed by space debris and strategies to mitigate them.
One of the key sessions, titled "Exploring New Horizons: Advances in Space Traffic Management," delved into the latest developments in space traffic management aimed at achieving overarching global objectives in addressing space-related challenges. Participants highlighted the proliferation of satellites launched by various countries, emphasizing the shared responsibility to tackle space environment issues and mitigate the risks posed by space debris. They emphasized the significance of ongoing technological advancements in space traffic management, particularly in addressing the threat of collisions and preserving the safety of spacecraft and space stations. The importance of expanding partnerships in the realm of space exploration to bolster collective efforts in addressing space challenges and ensuring sustainability was underscored.
Moreover, participants discussed the potential of space technologies in environmental conservation and sustainability efforts during a session titled "Exploring Possibilities: Innovative Commercial Opportunities for Space Debris." Recent advancements in space technology were highlighted as instrumental in supporting global initiatives aimed at addressing space challenges and fostering a sustainable future.
In his keynote speech titled "Space Debris Today and Tomorrow’s Opportunities," Michael Suffredini, the co-founder and CEO of Axiom Space, shed light on the challenges posed by space debris and emphasized the need for concerted efforts to address this pressing issue. He commended the Saudi Space Agency's proactive approach in organizing the conference and proposing solutions to mitigate space debris, including the formulation of regulations and enhancing awareness and tracking capabilities.
The closing session, "Shifting the Direction: Success Stories and Future Solutions to Address the Space Debris Challenge," underscored the importance of addressing the space debris challenge and outlined potential future solutions.
Notably, the conference facilitated the signing of two memoranda of cooperation and understanding. The first, with NorthStar, aims to strengthen collaboration in evaluating and exploring future opportunities while exchanging expertise in space situational awareness. The second, with LeoLabs, seeks to establish a cooperative relationship in space observation and knowledge exchange.
Organized by the Saudi Space Agency in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Communications and Space Technology Commission, the conference served as a pivotal platform for advancing dialogue and collaboration in addressing the complex challenges posed by space debris.
