Researchers Call for a Use Tax to Clean up Space
2020-06-01
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1Orbital structures are becoming increasingly important for worldwide communications and a new generation of technologies.
2But scientists are warning that the danger of space debris is increasing very quickly.
3Space debris can include pieces of old rockets, non-operational satellites, lost tools and other parts.
4These pieces of wreckage present a risk to spaceships, satellites and space stations.
5In an effort to reduce the amount of debris orbiting the Earth, some experts suggest creating "orbital-use fees."
6A group of economists at the University of Colorado at Boulder proposed a yearly fee, or tax, on satellite operators for their use of an orbital path.
7The group's study on the subject appeared recently in the publication Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
8Matthew Burgess helped write the study.
9He said in a statement: "Space is a common resource, but companies aren't accounting for the cost their satellites impose on other operators when they decide whether or not to launch."
10Burgess added, "We need a policy that lets satellite operators directly factor in the costs their launches impose on other operators."
11The researchers said current rules do not permit satellite operators to secure property rights to orbital paths high above the Earth.
12Other operators also do not have to pay for costs related to incidents involving space debris, the researchers noted.
13The study said that this situation gives companies a reason to quickly launch into Earth orbit before it gets too crowded.
14Akhil Rao was the lead writer of the study.
15 He said most proposed answers to the problem have been based on using technology to clear away the debris.
16Some suggestions, for example, call for nets or other devices that capture the space wreckage.
17But, Burgess said that removing debris only means that operators will launch more satellites.
18He said an international treaty calling for a yearly fee or tax would push companies to be more mindful about launching more objects into space.
19Holger Krag heads the European Space Agency's Space Debris Office.
20He called the idea "interesting" and said his agency was studying similar possibilities.
21ESA was also considering ways to account for the environmental costs of space operations.
22Christopher Newman is a professor of space law at Northumbria University in Britain.
23He told the Thomson Reuters Foundation that carrying out a space tax could be tricky.
24Newman noted that such a cost could be seen as a restriction on the free use of space.
25That freedom is guaranteed in the Outer Space Treaty of 1967.
26The United Nations document has been signed by more than 100 nations.
27Newman added that the effort to place a fee on the use of space could easily be slowed by the many details involved.
28I'm Mario Ritter Jr.
1Orbital structures are becoming increasingly important for worldwide communications and a new generation of technologies. But scientists are warning that the danger of space debris is increasing very quickly. 2Space debris can include pieces of old rockets, non-operational satellites, lost tools and other parts. These pieces of wreckage present a risk to spaceships, satellites and space stations. 3In an effort to reduce the amount of debris orbiting the Earth, some experts suggest creating "orbital-use fees." 4A group of economists at the University of Colorado at Boulder proposed a yearly fee, or tax, on satellite operators for their use of an orbital path. The group's study on the subject appeared recently in the publication Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 5Matthew Burgess helped write the study. He said in a statement: "Space is a common resource, but companies aren't accounting for the cost their satellites impose on other operators when they decide whether or not to launch." 6Burgess added, "We need a policy that lets satellite operators directly factor in the costs their launches impose on other operators." 7The researchers said current rules do not permit satellite operators to secure property rights to orbital paths high above the Earth. Other operators also do not have to pay for costs related to incidents involving space debris, the researchers noted. 8The study said that this situation gives companies a reason to quickly launch into Earth orbit before it gets too crowded. 9Akhil Rao was the lead writer of the study. He said most proposed answers to the problem have been based on using technology to clear away the debris. Some suggestions, for example, call for nets or other devices that capture the space wreckage. 10But, Burgess said that removing debris only means that operators will launch more satellites. 11He said an international treaty calling for a yearly fee or tax would push companies to be more mindful about launching more objects into space. 12Holger Krag heads the European Space Agency's Space Debris Office. He called the idea "interesting" and said his agency was studying similar possibilities. ESA was also considering ways to account for the environmental costs of space operations. 13Christopher Newman is a professor of space law at Northumbria University in Britain. He told the Thomson Reuters Foundation that carrying out a space tax could be tricky. 14Newman noted that such a cost could be seen as a restriction on the free use of space. That freedom is guaranteed in the Outer Space Treaty of 1967. The United Nations document has been signed by more than 100 nations. 15Newman added that the effort to place a fee on the use of space could easily be slowed by the many details involved. 16I'm Mario Ritter Jr. 17Mario Ritter Jr. adapted this Reuters story for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. 18________________________________________________________________ 19Words in This Story 20impose -v. to cause something, such as a tax, to affect people using official power 21factor in -n. to consider or include something when making a judgement