Creating Effective Counter-Measures Against Space Debris in African Countries; Excerpts

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Today, 30 January 2025, Space in Africa hosted its ninth webinar series, “Creating Effective Counter-Measures Against Space Debris in African Countries.” This webinar assessed the impact of current and future space debris in African nations, explored mitigation strategies, and examined international legal frameworks, including the Outer Space Treaty and the Liability Convention, which outline the responsibilities of spacefaring nations regarding debris management. 

Furthermore, key discussion points addressed the importance of building local capacity for debris monitoring, promoting regional and international collaboration, and ensuring fair allocation of responsibilities for damages caused by space debris. The speakers also shared 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.

The webinar speakers included:

  1. H.E. Dr Yeshurun Alemayehu, State Minister for the ICT and Digital Economy Sector, the Ministry of Innovation and Technology, Ethiopia,
  2. Dr Doreen Agaba, Technical Lead, Department of Aeronautics and Space Science Uganda
  3. Mustapha Iderawumi, Senior Analyst, Space in Africa (Moderator)

Check here to watch the webinar.

Key Takeaways from the Event

According to Dr Agaba, following a space debris incident, such as the 2023 SpaceX debris event in Uganda, involves several steps. She noted that the space industry in Africa, including Uganda, is still in its early stages. As of last year, Uganda had not yet established a framework to handle such incidents. As a result, the security and defence sector took control of the situation due to its implications.

Dr Agaba explained that the first step was to confirm whether the object originated from outer space. In Uganda’s case, the Uganda Forensic University took on this task, conducting a forensic analysis with internal and external support. Their report confirmed the object’s origin and identified its potential owner. She mentioned that a legal process followed the forensic analysis. This involved discussions between Uganda’s defence and security sector and the potential owner of the debris. However, she clarified that the details of these discussions remain confidential until an official public statement is released.  

In her view, this incident underscores the need for more comprehensive frameworks. She emphasised that space debris poses risks to lives and infrastructure on Earth and may also present additional, yet unidentified, hazards. 

While providing details about the identification and ongoing investigation of the object that fell through Ethiopia’s territory in January 2025, H.E. Dr Alemayehu clarified the current status of the incident. He stated that authorities have not yet confirmed the suspected space debris found near Ethiopia’s territory. Although it is indeed space debris, its exact nature, origin, and purpose remain unclear.  

Dr Alemayehu explained that the Ethiopian Space Science Society (ESSS) had released new insights from Satcat, a spaceflight intelligence exchange platform provided by Kayhan Space. However, he emphasised whether the debris belongs to a Chinese space object has not been confirmed. He stated that Ethiopian authorities are working closely with the Chinese space agency to verify the object’s origin. The investigation is ongoing, and no definitive conclusions have been reached.  

Dr Alemayehu also clarified that the debris did not land within Ethiopia’s territory. While it passed through Ethiopian airspace, it ultimately fell outside the country.  

While discussing the immediate technical challenges in identifying and managing space debris, Dr Agaba highlighted how these experiences have shaped her department’s approach to such issues.  

She outlined the primary challenges:  

  1. Confirming that the object is indeed space debris.  
  2. Identifying its source, which requires a specialised team of forensic experts.  
  3. Sharing information effectively to determine ownership of the object.  

Dr Agaba emphasised the importance of timelines. The international community sets a specific period for investigating space debris cases. For instance, under the United Nations Liability Convention—which governs liability for damage caused by space objects—there is a one-year period from the date of the incident to file a claim officially. Once this timeline passes, the case becomes null and void, leaving only lessons learned.  

She also pointed out the complexity of risk assessment. Space debris can range from spacecraft parts to launch vehicle components. Analysing risks—whether immediate or future—is challenging. For example, is the debris merely a piece of metal, or does it carry hazardous materials? Risks can vary from hardware damage to potential biohazards.  

Compensation was another critical issue. Addressing the locals’ concerns becomes essential if debris damages property or harms individuals. When such incidents occur, communities experience fear and uncertainty, which requires careful management. Dr Agaba questioned whether preemptive information should be shared with the public, noting that it is a delicate matter.  

She shared that these experiences have provided valuable lessons. At the time of the incident, her department was still drafting regulations, allowing them to incorporate space debris management into their framework. This incident has made space debris a critical focus in their regulatory and intersectoral discussions. Furthermore, Dr Agaba noted that addressing these challenges requires collaboration across sectors. She suggested borrowing frameworks from industries like the carbon economy to manage ground and space risks. Financial implications, risk factors, and design considerations are now integral to their planning.  

According to H.E. Dr Alemayehu, Ethiopia has been actively developing its space capabilities and policies in recent years, particularly since 2016. The government established the Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute (now Space Science and Geospatial Institute (SSGI)) to advance space science research and infrastructure development.  Two years after the institute’s establishment, the Council of Ministers approved the Ethiopian Space Policy. This policy aims to utilise space technologies for peaceful purposes and address economic and social challenges. While the existing framework underscores Ethiopia’s commitment to the peaceful use of space, specific legal measures or policy updates focusing on space debris mitigation have not been prominently featured in public documents.  

H.E. Dr Alemayehu highlighted that the incident highlights the potential risks of space debris. It has prompted Ethiopia to consider strengthening its policies and legal frameworks to address related challenges. H.E. Dr Alemayehu noted that efforts are underway to alleviate such problems, though specific national legislation on space debris has yet to be introduced.  

“Ethiopia aligns its approach with international legal frameworks, including the Outer Space Treaty and the UN COPUOS Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines. These guidelines promote responsible space activities and advocate for minimising risks,” concluded H.E. Dr Alemayehu.

Dr Agaba discussed Uganda’s and Africa’s preparedness regarding technology and expertise to monitor and respond to future space debris events. She highlighted areas for improvement and the need for external support. First, she noted that Uganda and Africa have a vibrant forensic industry, which is not significantly lacking. However, she emphasised the need to expand forensic capabilities to focus on objects not originally a primary concern, such as space debris.  

Furthermore, Dr Agaba stressed the importance of developing frameworks or procedures within departments to address space debris. She explained that space debris is unpredictable, with varying types and characteristics. Current models that predict debris underestimate the amount present and expected to enter the atmosphere, creating many uncertainties.  To address this, she proposed providing forensic communities with information and guidelines to anticipate and manage such events. This would help mitigate potential discomfort or panic among communities when debris incidents occur. She cautioned that identifying the owner of debris is not straightforward and requires careful handling.  

Specialised training for forensic investigations and establishing national and regional frameworks are essential. Once these are in place, communication channels between potential sources of debris (such as organisations or companies that have launched objects into space) and local authorities need to be established. These channels would facilitate discussions without assigning blame or causing unnecessary tension. Dr Agaba emphasised the importance of information gathering and accessibility to confirm the origin of debris. Collaboration is key, and she noted that efforts on the continent are progressing well. She suggested creating a community of experts and enthusiasts, such as satellite watchers, to engage in informal discussions and contribute to a form of “debris intelligence.”  

According to H.E. Dr Alemayehu, Ethiopia is actively working on several initiatives to enhance its ability to detect, track, and respond to future space debris incidents. He noted that one of the key projects underway is the installation of an asteroid and satellite tracking system at the Entoto Observatory and Research Centre, which operates under the Space Science and Education Institute. This initiative, he explained, is part of the International Scientific Optical Network (ISON)—a global collaboration focused on tracking space debris using ground-based optical telescopes. He emphasised that this network provides valuable collision avoidance and mitigation data, serving as a critical global watchdog for space debris.  

Additionally, H.E. Dr Alemayehu highlighted Ethiopia’s efforts to upgrade its one-meter telescope, an older system that is being integrated into the African Observation Network—a regional initiative led by African nations. He pointed out that this integration aims to enhance real-time detection and early warning systems for space debris and transient astronomical events. Furthermore, he mentioned ongoing efforts to connect Ethiopia’s two one-meter telescopes with the African Integrated Observation System (AIOS), a network linking astronomical facilities across Africa. He noted that this initiative involves collaboration with several African countries, including Algeria, Burkina Faso, Morocco, and South Africa, to strengthen regional space monitoring capabilities.  

In his view, these initiatives demonstrate Ethiopia’s commitment to developing the necessary infrastructure and expertise for monitoring space debris. He stressed that such efforts contribute to regional and continental capabilities and the global fight against the growing challenge of space debris.