Satellite Collision Triggers Push for Space Traffic Control Systems

[Satellite Today 02-18-09] The Secure World Foundation (SWF) has proposed a series of space traffic control solutions to the United Nations in response to the recent collision of an Iridium and Russian military satellite, the SWF announced Feb. 18.
    Brian Weeden, a technical consultant for the SWF, said the collision resulted in the generation of space junk that threatens spacecraft from a host of nations. “This collision is yet another example of the potential fragility of Earth orbit and the need for increased awareness,” Weeden said in a statement
    Weeden advised the subcommittee that most spacefaring nations do not have the resources or capacity to provide the critical space situational awareness information necessary to make safe and secure decisions regarding actions in space.
    Integral Systems CEO John Higginbotham echoed Weeden’s call for a space traffic control solution in an interview with Satellite Today. “It is absolutely the right kind of model,” said Higginbotham. “We have to have the systems to be able to identify and analyze potential situations, as well as the impact, and then have ability to take some action in order to avoid this problem.”

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