Webinar: Creating Effective Counter-Measures Against Space Debris in African Countries

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As Africa’s engagement in space activities expands, the issue of space debris has become increasingly pertinent. Recent incidents, such as the crash of a separation ring from a launch vehicle from the sky and landing in Mukuku Village, Makueni County in Kenya in December 2024, the space debris from a U.S.-based SpaceX satellite launch fell in western Uganda, causing property damage over a 40-kilometre area, and sightings of possible space debris streaking across southern skies in Ethiopia, highlight the immediate risks posed by falling debris to both space infrastructure and terrestrial communities. Ideally, space debris is expected to burn up on reentry; however, in some cases, larger fragments survive and land—often in the ocean, but in more dire scenarios, in populated areas. These remnants can be toxic, causing significant property damage and posing serious threats to human life. This webinar will assess the impact of space debris on African nations, explore mitigation strategies, and examine international legal frameworks, including the Outer Space Treaty and the Liability Convention, which outline the responsibilities of spacefaring nations regarding debris management.

Key discussion points will include an analysis of recent space debris incidents in Africa, risks posed to African satellites and ground infrastructure, and emerging technological solutions for debris tracking, collision avoidance, and removal. The session will also explore global best practices from regions like Europe and Asia in managing space debris re-entry, offering actionable insights for African countries. Further discussions will address the importance of building local capacity for debris monitoring, fostering international collaboration, and ensuring fair allocation of responsibilities for damages caused by space debris. The webinar aims to share strategies to safeguard the continent’s space assets and populations while contributing to a sustainable and secure space environment by equipping African nations with the knowledge and tools to address these challenges.

Webinar Objectives:

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges posed by space debris, learn actionable steps to mitigate risks, and receive policy recommendations to strengthen Africa’s space ecosystem. The webinar is also expected to identify avenues for regional and international collaboration, ensuring African nations are equipped with the tools, knowledge, and partnerships needed to safeguard the continent’s space assets and populations.

  • Assess impact: Evaluate space debris’s current and potential future impact on African space infrastructure and public safety.
  • Raise awareness: Highlight the significance of space debris issues among African policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the general public.
  • Explore mitigation strategies and best practices: Discuss international best practices and develop tailored strategies for space debris mitigation suitable for African contexts. The webinar will also analyse how regions such as Europe and Asia manage space debris re-entry and assess the applicability of these strategies to the African context. 
  • Promote collaboration: Encourage regional and international cooperation in monitoring, tracking, and managing space debris.
  • Understand legal frameworks: Examine international treaties, such as the Outer Space Treaty and the Liability Convention, to understand the responsibilities of foreign space actors and the legal avenues available to African countries in the event of damage caused by space debris.

Speakers:

  • Brigadier Hillary Kipkosgey, Acting Director General, Kenyan Space Agency
  • Dr Yeshurun Alemayehu, State Minister for the ICT and Digital Economy Sector, the Ministry of Innovation and Technology, Ethiopia,
  • Dr Doreen Agaba, Technical Lead, Department of Aeronautics and Space Science Uganda

Moderator: Mustapha Iderawumi, Senior Analyst, Space in Africa

Date and Time

  • Date: Thursday, 30th January 2025
  • Time: 12:00 PM GMT

Important Information

  • Date and Time—The event will be held on January 30, 2025, at 12 p.m. GMT via Zoom
  • Registration Link – Registration is open to all interested individuals. To register, please click here. 
  • To learn more about the webinar, please click here.

About Space in Africa

Space in Africa is the leading analytics and consulting company in the space sector, serving both the institutional and commercial markets with a particular focus on Africa. Our experience builds on a long track of past projects executed for international organisations, national governments, and commercial players, with high stakes in the space business — our practice cuts across all African countries. Space in Africa’s proprietary, research-based business and market analysis predict critical outcomes in what happens next in the industry and the opportunities available. Our data-driven analysis, free of vested interests and pre-conceptions, is helping to shape the ecosystem by making available accurate information critical for the change.