The questions that must be asked as man-made space debris in the near-Earth environment becomes a critical problem.What will happen to the near-Earth space environment? This book addresses the questions that must be asked as man-made space debris becomes a critical problem. World wide specialists give you the technical aspects of the problem and the economic, legal and international issues concerned with its solution. Their articles form an authoritative reference for the professional and non-specialist.What will happen to the near-Earth space environment? This book addresses the questions that must be asked as man-made space debris becomes a critical problem. World wide specialists give you the technical aspects of the problem and the economic, legal and international issues concerned with its solution. Their articles form an authoritative reference for the professional and non-specialist.What will happen to the near-Earth space environment? How can we ensure the survival of future scientific, commercial and military satellites and space stations? This book addresses the questions that must be asked as debris in space around the Earth--from dust particles to rocket casings, and even radioactive materials--becomes a critical problem. In this volume, many specialists from around the world address the issues, problems, and policies concerned with the preservation of near-Earth space. Their articles cover the technical aspects, and the economic and legal issues concerned, including the enforcement and monitoring of international agreements and the resolution of disputes. This clearly written and well illustrated survey offers the professional and concerned nonspecialist an authoritative and comprehensive review of the problems with and solutions to space debris.List of contributors; Preface; Part I. Introduction: 1. Introduction J. A. Simpson; Part II. Defining the Problem: 2. The Earth satellite population: official growth and constituents Nicholas L. Johnson; 3. The ló*