China's "Out-of-Control" Rocket Crash Angers US... "Let's Create an International Organization" [Reading Science]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] As activities in outer space have significantly increased, issues such as space debris falling have arisen. A representative case occurred on the 31st of last month when debris from a large Chinese space rocket fell near Malaysia and the Philippines without any control or safety measures. Amid this, there is growing attention to calls within the United States, the leading space power, to establish an international organization dedicated to space traffic and space debris issues to take charge of control and management.

On the 2nd (local time), according to the space-specialized media 'SpaceNews,' the U.S. think tank 'Atlantic Council' recently released a report presenting such claims. The report first pointed out, "As congestion in the space environment rapidly increases, commercial and public space activities are becoming increasingly risky," adding, "Without international cooperation on space traffic management, it is uncertain whether the safety of space activities can be continuously guaranteed."

The report then urged the U.S. and its allies to establish an international framework for space traffic management. It suggested utilizing existing UN-affiliated organizations such as the International Aviation Organization (IAO) or creating a new one to lead international cooperation on space traffic management and oversee its implementation.

In particular, the report emphasized that it is essential not only to track the positions of satellites and space debris but also to have a common understanding and management of maneuvers in space as Earth's orbit becomes increasingly congested.

The report stated, "Although countries, military authorities, private companies, and international organizations track space objects and notify when collisions are expected, this is insufficient to prepare for future realities," and argued, "The U.S. should take the lead in establishing a policy framework for space traffic management through international cooperation."

As an alternative, the report urged the U.S. Congress to promptly consider creating a space traffic management department under the U.S. Department of Commerce, which would be responsible for traffic issues. It also called for measures to handle space debris orbiting Earth. The report pointed out, "The current regulatory gap in space activities leaves room for malicious actions or unsustainable business practices," adding, "Now is the time to act for future security and prosperity in space."

Meanwhile, China successfully launched a module on the Changzheng 5B rocket on the 24th of last month to build its independent space station Tiangong. However, the upper part of the Changzheng 5B rocket, weighing 25 tons, drifted through the atmosphere without safety measures or control and fell over the Indian Ocean early on the 31st of last month, causing global alarm. The U.S. criticized China for allowing the last third stage of the rocket to orbit unpredictably and fall at an uncertain time and place without releasing tracking information, unlike other countries or private companies that either crash rockets into target areas or recover them after transport.