AAS 97-638

OVERVIEW OF THE SECOND EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON SPACE DEBRIS

D.B. Spencer, K. K. Luu - USAF Phillips Laboratory

Abstract

The purpose of the Second European Conference on Space Debris is to provide a forum for the presentation of results from research on space debris, to assist in defining future directions for research, to identify methods of debris control, reduction and protection, and to discuss international implications and policy issues. The conference will also promote the technical understanding and support discussions which are ongoing on a worldwide level, e.g. at the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of UNCOPUOS. This conference is a follow up of the First European Conference on Space Debris, held in April, 1993. Maintaining continuity in the technical themes will allow the community to monitor the progress in the various disciplines since then. This paper provides a brief overview of the events that occurred at the conference, and discusses some of the significant results that were presented.