RT Journal Article
T1 Optimal satellite shielding and orbital debris
A1 Bongers-Chicano, Aneli María
A1 Molinari, Benedetto
A1 Torres-Chacón, José Luis
K1 Basura espacial
K1 Impacto
AB Orbital debris, or space junk, is a major environmental externality that poses serious risks to human activity in outer space. The rapid increase in satellites and spacecraft from commercial, military, and scientific missions has intensified space pollution, leaving millions of debris fragments orbiting Earth at high velocities. This proliferation raises the likelihood of collisions and the destruction of operational spacecraft. This paper examines how spacecraft shielding affects both collision-related damage and debris generation. Shielding lowers the probability of satellite breakup during collisions, helping limit the creation of additional debris. It illustrates how spacefaring firms can mitigate the environmental costs of space activity through individual actions, even within a decentralized, profit-driven framework. Our analysis shows that when satellite operators invest in reducing collision risks and potential destruction, their behavior partially internalizes the externality, improving orbital sustainability. However, the optimal level of shielding in a decentralized economy remains below that achieved under a centralized framework, demonstrating that market mechanisms only partially address the negative externality.
PB Springer
YR 2026
FD 2026-02
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10630/45736
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10630/45736
LA eng
NO Bongers, A., Molinari, B. & Torres, J.L. Optimal satellite shielding and orbital debris. J. Ind. Bus. Econ. (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40812-026-00392-5
NO Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBUA
DS RIUMA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Málaga
RD 17 mar 2026