Pillars of space traffic management in the era of LEO mega-constellations: A global perspective

Abstract

In the context of deepening civil-military integration of the space industry and escalating competition among major powers, the rapid development of LEO mega-constellations has led to significant changes concerning space safety and security governance. Increasingly crowded outer space, aggravated by the emergence of mega-constellations, has posed severe challenges to space operational safety and national security. Therefore, there is a practical urgency to establish space traffic management mechanisms to cover safety and security issues. This paper envisions three pillars of space traffic management while proposing appropriate implementation measures for regulating the construction of LEO mega-constellations. Adopting a global forward-thinking approach, these proposals offer comprehensive guidelines for effectively integrating diverse stakeholders engaged in space activities, with the collective objective of striking a balance between commercial private interests, national space interests, and the broader concerns of humanity.