The latter half of the 20th century witnessed an unprecedented rise in the exploration and use

of outer space by several countries worldwide. The long strides taken in the development of
modern satellite communication along with an increased clutter of inoperative satellites and
spent rockets, have caused space junk or debris to become a cause of concern 1. While
frameworks and treaties exist in place to govern the use and exploration of outer space, their
implementation has been tardy. The Outer Space Treaty, for example, defines space debris as
For one to tackle the issue of space debris and ensure due liability on states for their acts, a
comprehensive definition of what is space debris along with its constituents is the prime
requirement. However,

1
Daria Diaz, Trashing the Final Frontier: An Examination of Space Debris From a Legal Perspective, 6 Tulane
Environmental Law Journal 369, 371 (1993).