No nasa space launches now- partisan fighting and controversies prevent all funding Handberg 7-25



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Environment


Space Debris Destroys the Environment

Scheetz 6 [Lori Scheetz: J.D. Candidate, Georgetown University Law Center, Georgetown International Environmental Law Review Georgetown International Environmental Law Review Fall, 2006 19 Geo. Int'l Envtl. L. Rev. 57, Infusing Environmental Ethics into the Space Weapons Dialouge, Fri

In addition to irreparably damaging the space environment and inhibiting peaceful  [*70]  space activities, damage to space will also likely cause harm to Earth's environment because Earth and outer space are intricately connectedn87 Eventually, collisions of debris could produce so much dust that a lasting twilight will cast over the Earth, shrouding the planet in a haze of metallic pollutionn88Moreover, the mere existence of space weapons increases the potential for their use in space in the future. Warfare in space could entomb the Earth, creating a hazardous space environment. n89 One pair of scholars remarks that "scientists need to emphasize that a war in space could create a battlefield that will last forever, encasing our entire planet in a shell of whizzing debris that will thereafter make space near the Earth highly hazardous for peaceful as well as military purposes." n90


Increased space debris destroys the Earth’s radiation belts and the ozone

Seymour 98 (Georgetown International Environment Law Review) Jennifer Georgetown University Law Center “ Containing the Cosmic Crisis a proposal for Curbing the Perils of Space Debris” Spring 1998 https://litigation-essentials.lexisnexis.com/webcd/app?action=DocumentDisplay&crawlid=1&srctype=smi&srcid=3B15&doctype=cite&docid=10+Geo.+Int'l+Envtl.+L.+Rev.+891&key=c2fed9dac188ebe2811a623b68b08796, Fri

The use of certain rocket and stratospheric aircraft fuels has been found to speed the depletion of the earth’s ozone layer. Specifically, the chlorine, aluminum, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide that are present in these fuels have been detected in the ozone layer by scientists. At least one study has concluded that the presence of nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere “may reduce the termperature of the earth’s surface”, potentially impacting agricultural production. Another study has predicted that if space missions began using liquid fuel, rather than solid fuels that have been found to deposit ozone- depleting chlorine and aluminum, “there would be a reduction in acid raid, ozone depletion, toxicity, the production of aluminum particulates, and ice.” In addition scientis Andrei Kobrade has suggested that the introduction of debris into the near-earth environment has altered “high-energy proton fluxes in the Can Allen radiation belt.” Using data about the debris environment in near-earth orbit, Konradi’s study found that projected impacts between protons and debris particles would shorten the lifetimes of such protons, which could affect the radiation environment in near-earth orbit, Konradi’s conclusion was based on data obtained ten years ago, not reflecting the significant increase in commercial uses of space that has prompted concern about the orbital debris issue. Thus, the risk would likely be even more serious if current data were considered. Finally, at least one author has suggested that extensive use of the earth’s atmosphere to burn up space objects, either intentionally or incidentally, could damage the upper atmosphere. This concern does not reflect current conditions but predicts a possible side-effect of the number of current and future space objects that could become debris.

The recent increase in commercial space activity has brought to the table an issue that has been literally hanging over us for forty years: space debris. In fact, since the Soviets launched Sputnik in 1957, the problem of human made pollution in near-earth orbit has grown to a dangerous level. Without swift action by both international regulators and the commercial space industry, this hazard will reach a level of self-perpetuation that will significantly limit the possible human uses of space, threaten the earth’s ozone layer and potentially “permanently alter the near-Earth trapped radiation environment
Huge amounts of radioactive material orbiting Earth as space debris- Collisions risk radioactive contamination

Pusey 10 (JD Candidate University of Colorado Law School) Natalie Pusey “The Case for Preserving Nothing: The need for a global response to the space debris problem” Spring 2010 https://litigation-essentials.lexisnexis.com/webcd/app?action=DocumentDisplay&crawlid=1&doctype=cite&docid=21+COLO.+J.+INT'L+ENVTL.+L.+%26+POL'Y+425&srctype=smi&srcid=3B15&key=a1bf8be934fcd1368eaf8243fe194335

Another possible danger of space debris is its potential surface harm when it re-enters the atmosphere. Approximately 200 objects return to Earth from space each year. Despite this frequency, re-entry does not pose a notable risk to people, property, or the environment as most of the debris incinerates when it enters the atmosphere. The dangers of radioactive debris re-entry, however, represent a disconcerting reality. Col War-ear satellites were often built with radioactive components. Approximately 1,500 kilograms of radioactive material orbits Earth. If this type of debris re-enters Earth’s atmosphere over a populated area, it could greatly harm human health and property. In addition to the alarming possibility that radioactive debris can re-enter the atmosphere, it also presents a safety harzard for manned space operations.

Environment


Space debris is radioactive- Spillover effect destroys environment on Earth

Bhutia 10 (West Bengal University of Judicial Sciences) Wangcen Rigzin Bhutia Juris Online March 17, 2010“Protection of the Outer Space Environment” http://jurisonline.in/2010/03/protection-of-the-outer-space-environment,

Radiological Pollution : The prime source of radioactive contamination is the active payloads with the Nuclear Power Sources (NPS). The collision between active payloads and space debris or other space objects could release radioactive contamination and other waster products into the earth and the outer space environment. The use of Nuclear Power Sources (NPS) in outer space is aimed at providing electric power for spacecraft sub-systems such as altitude control, communications, and command, as well as for the operations of various equipment on board. Radiological pollution also occurs due to the disintegration of failed launching of space objects carrying NPS. The interconnectedness of the Earth’s environment and outer space means that any damage or harm to the space environment is likely to have a spillover effect on Earth. The possibility of malfunctioning NPS entering into the earth’s atmosphere is also possible as seen in the COSMOS-954 incident in 1978, where a nuclear-powered satellite disintegrated upon re-entry, scattering a significant amount of highly radioactive debris across Canadian territory. Similarly, in 1983, COSMOS 1402, carrying 45 kilograms of uranium-235, malfunctioned and broke into three parts upon re-entry. The hazards to humankind from NPS in outer space will primarily be radiological, arising from radiation exposure through “both direct external radiation and internal radiation from inhalation or ingestion.”


The environment is not solely the Earth- it encompasses outer space

Bhutia 10 (West Bengal University of Judicial Sciences) Wangcen Rigzin Bhutia Juris Online March 17, 2010“Protection of the Outer Space Environment” http://jurisonline.in/2010/03/protection-of-the-outer-space-environment/

The first thing that comes to a person when one talk about ‘environment’ is the land we live on and the water we drink or the air we breathe. The value of these resources has only been considered in the context of human beings and their activity. Therefore there have been many environmental regulations focusing on the prevention of direct damage to the human interest and not on the prevention of the damage to the environment so to speak. Therefore there are much legislation on matters such as toxic wastes, clean air and water and so on. Protection of the sparsely populated environments, for instance the Antarctica, has only been recently area of legislations. This recent trend is one indication of the movement towards a broader long term view of human interests and a wider understanding of the term ‘environment’. However, the ‘environment’ is in reality surrounded by a much larger environment of outer space the importance of which is growing due to the stupendous growth in science and technology. The interrelationship of different aspect of the Earths environment becomes much clearer by placing the earth in a broader context. As we have seen, there has been a rapid development in the space technology especially after the historic day when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik-I into the orbit. This achievement marked the opening of a new territory, full of vast resources and exciting opportunities. A new era began in the life of mankind known as ‘the space age’ which changed ideas, science, communication and the life itself.The technological advances, such as weather satellites, are increasingly making outer space a part of our everyday lives and, therefore, our environment.




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