Collisions lead to collisions – 2026 Space environment report

In a future without active debris removal and systematic end-of-life disposal, fragments from collisions will lead to further collisions on their own. 

The greatest long-term threat is not simply the addition of new objects through launching more, but the self-sustaining cycle of collisions creating fragments that trigger further collisions: the Kessler syndrome.  

Even if no new satellites were launched, the debris population would continue to increase because fragmentation events generate debris faster than they can naturally reenter the atmosphere. Over time, this could make some orbital regions increasingly unsafe and potentially unusable.  

Prevention is not only better than a cure, but also much more affordable. Preventing new debris through space traffic management, end-of-life disposal and Zero Debris practices remains essential, but prevention alone is no longer enough. Active debris removal must become part of the solution and soon in order to keep the final frontier of space open to the generations to come.  

Discover the 2026 ESA Space Environment Report.