424 Journal of the Spanish Institute for Strategic Studies Núm. 12 / 2018 stated that “the probability that two large objects (> 10 cm in diameter) will accidentally collide is very low»,127 the growing volume of space traffic due to the increasing num-ber of space actors makes the need to adopt measures aimed at mitigating space debris imperative. However, there are numerous and wide-ranging difficulties to be overcome: for example, obstacles of a technical nature, which to date can only be dealt with by atmospheric drag. Active Debris Removal techniques aimed at removing waste from orbit are currently only in the very early stages of development and far from becoming a practical reality for a considerable time. There are also political impediments, as we have seen, because of the tendency for players to prioritise national security above all other considerations. In addition, mitigation measures face major budgetary and legal obsta-cles. 128 Regarding the legal obstacles, it will be difficult to make any worthwhile progress in waste mitigation without a whole rethinking of the international definition of space waste that would remove the exclusive ownership of states. Given that the resulting scenario is too complex because of the existing difficulties within the framework of an international strategy to reach multilateral agreements on space debris, an alternative means of strengthening space governance could be through the enactment and adoption of national legislation to authorise and supervise space debris mitigation that could gather momentum and in time lead to an international customary ruling. This is a route that has already been proposed for other insufficiently regulated spa-ce activities, such as suborbital flights.129 An insightful case has been proposed by France: in line with Norm ISO 24113,130 Article 5 of its 2008 Space Law prescribes the obligation to limit risks associated with space debris,131 and the Ministerial Order of March 31, 2011 stipulates the obligation to prevent the intentional release of space debris in orbit during nominal operations; the avoidance of ruptures or disintegration in orbit; and the removal of space objects away from protected orbits after the mission (article 21).132 127 NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, óp. cit., note 92. 128 Hildreth, S. A. & Arnold, A., “Threats to U.S. National Security Interests in Space: Orbital Debris Mitigation and Removal”, Congressional Research Service, 8 January 2014, <https://www.fas. org/sgp/crs/natsec/R43353.pdf> consulted: 15-9-2018. 129 Masson-Zwaan, T., “Liability and Insurance for Suborbital Flights”, Proc. 5th IAASS Conference ‘A Safer Space for a Safer World’, Versailles, France17–19 October 2011 (ESA SP-699, January 2012), and <https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/15606188.pdf> consulted: 15-9-2018. 130 Lazare, B., “The French Space Operations Act: Technical Regulations”, Acta Astronautica, vol: 92 (2), December 2013, p. 211. 131 LOI n° 2008-518 du 3 juin 2008 relative aux opérations spatiales, Le Journal officiel de la République française, <https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=LEGITEXT000018939303> consulted: 15-9-2018. 132 Arrêté du 31 mars 2011 relatif à la réglementation technique en application du décret n° 2009-643 du 9 juin 2009 relatif aux autorisations délivrées en application de la loi n° 2008-518 du 3 juin 2008 relative aux opérations spatiales, Le Journal officiel de la République française, <https://www.legifrance.gouv. fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000024095828&categorieLien=id> consulted: 15-9-2018. Revista del Instituto Español de Estudios Estratégicos n.º 12 - Año: 2018 - Págs.: 397 a 431
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