Scientists have called for a legally binding agreement to ensure that Earth’s orbit is not irreparably damaged by the future expansion of the global space industry. Experts say that in a week after nearly 200 countries agreed on an agreement to protect the high seas after a 20-year process, society should transfer the lessons learned from one part of our planet to another. The number of orbiting satellites is expected to increase from 9,000 today to over 60,000 by 2030, and an estimated 100 trillion old untracked satellites are already orbiting the planet.

While this technology is used to deliver a wide variety of social and environmental benefits, there are fears that the industry’s projected growth could render large portions of Earth’s orbit unusable. in the magazine Science International collaboration of experts in areas such as satellite technology and ocean plastic pollution shows the urgent need for global consensus on how best to manage Earth’s orbit.

They acknowledge that some industries and countries are starting to focus on the sustainability of satellites, but they say this needs to be done to include any country that plans to use Earth orbit.

Any agreements they add should include measures to enforce manufacturer and user liability for satellites and debris from launch. Business costs should also be considered when seeking ways to promote accountability. This type of reasoning is consistent with current recommendations to address ocean plastic pollution as countries begin negotiations on the Global Compact on Plastics.

Experts also believe that without prompt action, large parts of our planet’s immediate environment will suffer the same fate as the high seas, where mismanagement has led to overfishing, habitat destruction, deep-sea prospecting and plastic pollution.