The Geopolitics of Space Junk: International Security and the Governance of an Increasingly Crowded Orbit

Siddharth Kathane

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i05.87291

The Geopolitics of Space Junk: International Security and the Governance of an Increasingly Crowded Orbit

Author(s)	Siddharth Kathane
Country	India
Abstract	Low Earth orbit (LEO) is becoming a problem as large as nuclear deterrence during the Cold War – because of the growing proliferation of space debris in the orbital environment. Despite the increasing scientific alarm, space debris remains a technical issue external to the state and international security issues and is seen as a pollution problem. This paper investigates the geopolitics of space debris in the context of international relations theory, in particular the governance issues which are created by the growing congestion of space. The study draws on the ideas of regime theory, global commons theory, liberal internationalism and the securitization theory to create a multi-theoretical analytical framework for the effectiveness of international governance of orbital debris. The research uses a qualitative case study approach, based on three critical incidents: the 2007 Chinese ASAT test, the 2009 Iridium-Cosmos collision, and the 2021 Russian ASAT test. The paper examines the efficacy of current international legal frameworks and the opportunities for a more stringent governance regime using doctrinal, policy document and process analysis. The results uncover a fragmented, weak and ineffective governance system that is unable to address the interconnected and escalating problems of orbital congestion, commercial proliferation and great-power competition. The paper argues for the necessity of the political will and institutional adaptation to effective debris governance in addition to technological innovation, and suggests that the best way forward in the future is a polycentric governance approach.
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 5, September-October 2026
Published On	2026-09-06
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i05.87291

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The Geopolitics of Space Junk: International Security and the Governance of an Increasingly Crowded Orbit

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