Approach:

Introduction: Define Outer space

Body: Mention problems associated with space activities and then mention relevance of International Cooperation

Conclusion: Way ahead

Answer:

Outer space, often called space, is the vast expanse beyond celestial atmospheres, starting around 100 km above Earth at the Kármán line where the atmosphere ends. It is used to distinguish it from airspace (and terrestrial locations).

Problems with space activities

• Space Traffic and Risk of Collision: The problem stems from a rapid surge in satellite launches over the last ten years. Before 2012, satellite launches remained relatively steady. However, in 2013, we saw a dramatic increase, with 210 new satellite launches that year. 
• By 2019, the number had tripled to 600 launches, and it doubled again to 1,200 in 2020. The situation intensified even further in 2022, with a staggering 2,470 satellite launches. 

• Lack of International Coordination: Lack of consensus among nations on global guidelines for space exploration, resource utilization, and exploitation may result in disputes, potentially causing harm to the environment and cultural heritage.
• At present, the management of space traffic is done separately by individual countries and regional organizations. Each of these entities has its own set of rules, preferred methods, definitions, and communication systems.

• Menace of Space Debris: With over 24,000 objects larger than 10 centimeters, one million between 1 and 10 centimeters, and possibly more than 130 million smaller than 1 centimeter have been recorded in outer space.
• For ex: In 2009, an accidental collision occurred between an Iridium communications satellite and a defunct Russian satellite, creating thousands of pieces of space debris.
• The 2007 Chinese anti-satellite missile test created thousands of trackable fragments and a significant number of smaller debris, posing risks to both crewed and uncrewed missions in orbit.
• Space Warfare: Satellites can be intentionally redirected to collide with others, creating more space debris and risking damage to crucial civilian infrastructure. This could disrupt essential functions like communication, observation, and navigation, impacting the global supply chain.
• The growing participation of countries in space activities, driven by increased private sector engagement, such as in the United States, China, India, and Japan, may potentially lead to future conflicts in space.
• Notable Gaps in the Outer Space Treaty : As of now, the Outer Space Treaty, also known as the Treaty on Principles Governing Activities in Outer Space, is a global agreement that lays the foundation for international space law which bans nuclear weapons in space,mandates the peaceful use of celestial bodies like the Moon,ensures open access to space for all nations,prohibits any nation from asserting ownership over outer space or celestial bodies.
• However, there are notable gaps in space laws encompass the non-ratification of the 1979 Moon Treaty by major spacefaring nations, the absence of a formal dispute resolution mechanism, silence on issues related to collisions and space debris, and inadequate provisions regarding interference with the space assets of other nations

Relevance of International Cooperation

• Shared Resource Management: Outer space is a global common with limited resources. Collaborative efforts are necessary to ensure equitable access and sustainable use of these resources, such as orbital slots and celestial bodies like the Moon.
• For ex: The ISS showcases international cooperation in utilizing a shared space resource for research and technological advancement.
• Conflict Prevention: As more countries and private entities engage in space activities, the risk of conflicts, such as satellite collisions or territorial disputes, increases. International cooperation can establish rules and mechanisms for dispute resolution to prevent hostilities.
• For ex: SpaceX has launched thousands of Starlink satellites to create a global satellite internet network and Amazon's Project Kuiper obtained regulatory approvals for launching constellation of over 3,000 micro-satellites
• Space Debris Mitigation: The proliferation of space debris poses a common threat to all space-faring nations. Collaborative initiatives are crucial for tracking and mitigating space debris to protect valuable space assets.
• For ex: In 2022, India and the USA entered into a Space Situational Awareness (SSA) agreement to jointly monitor objects in space.
• Scientific Advancements: Cooperation enables the sharing of scientific knowledge and research findings, fostering innovation and progress in space exploration and technology development.
• For ex: Systems like GPS (United States), GLONASS (Russia), Galileo (European Union), and Bei Dou (China) provide global navigation and positioning services through the joint operation of satellite constellations
• Peaceful Use of Space: International cooperation reinforces the commitment to using outer space for peaceful purposes, as outlined in the Outer Space Treaty. This helps maintain a stable and secure space environment.
• For ex: Multiple countries operate space surveillance networks like the United States' SSN, sharing data and warnings about potential collisions.

In this regard, in 2023, the United Nations (UN) has put forth a proposal for a fresh treaty with the objectives of safeguarding peace and security in outer space and averting the escalation of an arms race. These negotiations aim to craft a set of global standards, regulations, and principles to confront challenges facing space systems. Therefore, International cooperation in outer space governance is crucial for addressing the growing challenges and opportunities in space exploration, ensuring the peaceful and sustainable use of outer space, and preventing conflicts and environmental degradation in this unique domain.