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Orbital Debris and the Coming Liability Fight

Jun 25, 2026 by S. Vega
Originally published on Astrostrategy

Conjunction warnings have become routine; consequences have not. The 1972 Liability Convention has been invoked once in fifty years, and the burden of avoidance still falls on whoever manoeuvres first — usually the most responsible operator, not the most negligent one.

Insurance as regulator

If treaties stay frozen, underwriters will set the real rules: premiums priced on debris mitigation behaviour will discipline operators faster than any UN working group.


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