On 18 June 2026, ASTRA Bonn had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Vitali Braun, who works with the European Space Agency – ESA/ ESOC Space Debris Office, for a lecture on “Navigating Debris: Cosmic Stories of Cooperation, Conflict and Chaos.”

What may sound like a highly technical topic quickly turned into a broader conversation about the realities of operating in an increasingly crowded and contested orbital environment. Vitali gave us insights into how space debris is tracked, how risks are assessed, and why space sustainability is becoming one of the central governance questions of our time.

What are some take home messages?
🚀 Debris is deeply connected to political and strategic choices. From China’s ASAT test in 2007 to Russia’s ASAT test in 2021, destructive actions in space have shown how quickly the orbital environment can become more hazardous for everyone.
🚀 There is still no clear framework for traffic management in orbit. Avoidance maneuvers are increasing and commercial constellations are adding pressure, yet the rules about responsibility and priority in space remain far from settled.
🚀 Space debris is not just a technical or regulatory issue. It also carries a philosophical dimension, as the way we manage orbital waste ultimately reflects questions about responsibility, stewardship, and the limits of human expansion. As Vitali concluded: “Beyond our planet lie only facts – all meaning resides here.”

Thank you to Vitali for an insightful lecture that connected technical detail with the wider political, strategic and philosophical stakes of space sustainability.