SPACE DEBRIS SAFETY AND MITIGATION: SOME INTERNATIONAL LEGAL ASPECTS

The presence of debris in Outer space should be considered a form of environmental degradation on a universal level. The term 'space debris' refers to the remnants of human activities in outer space: defunct satellites, spent rocket upper stages, and parts of these objects. In fact, the pollution does not occur in the territory of any state, but in a sovereign -free area that is open to all states for utilization. The article considered some international legal aspects of the prevention of the formation and removal of space debris. The authors analyzed provisions of international acts, adopted at universal level (United Nations, International Telecommunication Union, International Standards Organization) and regional level (European Space Agency). Special attention paid to the implementation of space debris mitigation standards into national legislation of the different countries of the World.