February 2009

This week’s question revolves around satellite safety. Last week, a U.S. Iridium satellite collided with a Russian military satellite over Siberia, scattering hundreds of pieces of debris into space. So far, the debris poses no immediate threat to other orbiting satellites. However, industry observers believe the risk of future collisions – and resultant possible geopolitical conflict - will increase and thus are calling for nations to band together to develop more detailed protocol regarding satellite movements, instead of relying on the current hodgepodge of satellite data from various authorities. What do you think? Should international regulations be developed to track and control satellite movements over Earth? Yes or no?

Vote here.