Preserving the Final Frontier: Proposing the Paris Agreement as a Model for a New Space Debris Treaty

Kaitlyn Seese*

Student Writing Prize in Comparative and International Law, Best Note Award

Space debris poses a grave threat to humanity’s continued use of outer space. While debris mitigation has largely failed, active debris removal (ADR), the removal of space debris from orbit through the use of technology, presents a viable solution to this problem. The current space law regime does not address ADR, changes in technology, nor the growing role of the private sector in outer space. Other scholars have suggested non-binding reforms to the space law regime such as a code of conduct. However, non-binding re- forms are inadequate considering the scale and nature of space debris. Therefore, to create uniformity and guarantee an equitable distribution of responsibilities, this Note calls for the adoption of a new binding, multilateral space treaty. It proposes utilizing the Paris Agreement as a model due to its bottom-up approach and structural and normative compatibility with the existing space law regime.

*Notes Editor, Columbia Journal of Transnational Law; J.D., Columbia Law School, 2026.