The Congested Commons

Abstract

Low Earth Orbit is a finite commons. Satellite mega-constellations, anti-satellite tests, and more than 36,000 tracked debris objects are racing toward Kessler Syndrome — a self-sustaining collision cascade — with only non-binding guidelines to stop them. Modeled on the International Civil Aviation Organization, the paper proposes an International Space Traffic Management Authority (ISTMA) with binding authority over the orbital commons.