Clear Orbit Secure Future 2026

Images: Adobe Stock, Getty Images Disclaimer This document is published by the World Economic Forum as a contribution to a project, insight area or interaction. The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are a result of a collaborative process facilitated and endorsed by the World Economic Forum but whose results do not necessarily represent the views of the World Economic Forum, nor the entirety of its Members, Partners or other stakeholders. © 2026 World Economic Forum. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system.Contents Foreword 3 Executive summary 4 Introduction 5 1 Understanding the debris landscape 6 1.1 Understanding the model 8 1.2 Phases and uncertainties 9 1.3 Translating population into risk 9 2 Economic impact of inaction 10 2.1 Understanding the range 13 2.2 Possible futures for debris costs 15 2.3 Understanding the impact of debris 16 3 Forging a path forward 17 3.1 Technology 18 3.2 Economy 19 3.3 Law and policy 21 3.4 Diplomacy 22 Conclusion 23 Appendix A 24 Appendix B 25 B1 Mathematical formulation (orbital population model) 25 B2 Core modelling assumptions 26 B3 Modelled clusters and event probabilities 27 Appendix C 28 Appendix D 30 Contributors 31 Endnotes 33 Clear Orbit, Secure Future: A Call to Action on Space Debris 2