Moon Day focuses growing concerns about space debris

“Decades of rapidly expanding space activity have shown that every launch leaves an environmental footprintand it will take a long time to fully understand its impact. This is why it is so important to consider the sustainability of these programs early on,” said Jason Jabbour, Senior Official at the UN Environment Program (UNEP).

Why this is important

• Space debris is increasing rapidly around Earth.
• Satellite pollution can affect atmosphere and ozone.
• UN treaties support responsibility exploration and debris reduction.
• Protecting space helps maintain life and ecosystems on Earth.

Although international agreement placed to avoid space contamination, an estimated 140 million pieces of debris measuring more than one millimeter now orbit the Earth.

Most of them are too small to track but they are still capable of doing so damaging satellites and spacecraft.

But environmental problems don’t just include the risk of collisions.

Satellite constellations

Defunct satellites eventually reenter Earth’s atmosphere, where they release metals such as aluminum, lithium and copper. Scientists are studying whether these materials can affect atmospheric chemistry, cloud formation and the ozone layer.

Detachable rocket parts also contribute to this problem. Some remain in orbit for years before breaking apart or falling back to Earth, while others break into thousands of pieces. Hundreds of tons of spacecraft and rocket bodies are estimated to re-enter the atmosphere every yeara figure that is expected to increase as the satellite constellation expands.

Small mission-related objects – including bolts, lens caps and protective covers – also added to orbital congestion, while repeated collisions and explosions created microscopic particles that scientists believe increased the brightness of the night sky.

Long-lasting risks

Although most spacecraft burn up during reentry, larger heat-resistant components can survive the journey, posing risks to humans, infrastructure and marine life.

The moon has fascinated humanity for millennia, inspiring mythology, science and navigation, while quietly shaping life on Earth through its powerful gravitational influence.

Marking International Moon Day on July 20, the United Nations highlighted not only the importance of Earth’s closest planetary neighbor but also the environmental challenges that accompany the new era of space exploration.

Moon’s life-giving role

From nearly 400,000 kilometers away, the Moon generates tides that oxygenate coastal waters, transport nutrients and help maintain rich marine ecosystems, including the Great Barrier Reef. Scientists say understanding the Moon also provides important clues about the origins and evolution of the wider solar system.

Interest in lunar exploration has increased in recent years. Earlier this year, NASA’s Artemis II mission took four astronauts on a 10-day trip around the Moon as part of a plan to establish a long-term human presence on the lunar surface by the 2030s. China, India, Japan and several private companies are also pursuing ambitious lunar programs.

But as activity in space increases, concerns about environmental impacts also increase.

The concept of space sustainability requires exploration and activities beyond Earth to preserve the space environment for future generations.

Protection launch pad

Based on these commitments, UN Member States have adopted guidelines to limit the creation of space debris by reducing unnecessary waste, preventing explosions, avoiding the intentional destruction of spacecraft, and safely removing obsolete satellites and rockets from orbit.

Under United Nations Responsibility Convention of 1972Launching countries are responsible for damage caused by their space objects to Earth, including launches carried out jointly by several countries.

To address these emerging risks, UNEP and it United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs working together to strengthen scientific understanding of the environmental impacts of space activities and to ensure environmental protection is embedded in future space governance.

As humanity prepares for a sustainable return to the Moon, the UN says preserving space and Earth’s environment must remain critical in the next chapter of exploration.