This event was kindly hosted in Hong Kong by Orion Astropreneur Space Academy (OASA HK).
What goes up comes down, mostly. Many space enthusiasts neglect to mention that space is filling up with millions of pieces of junk. Space is limitless, but orbit is quite limited. The “Tragedy of the Commons” is the idea that when people have unfettered access to a finite, valuable resource, they often overuse it and destroy it. Further, as space funding moves to the private sector, investors are increasingly questioning the risk junk poses to the assets they’re funding in space.
The City of London’s 2023-2024 Space Protection Initiative rose to this challenge and connected the space industry with the insurance industry to keep space ‘clutter-free’. They propose that space debris can be kept from increasing through the introduction of Space Debris Removal Insurance Bonds (SPADRIBs). These ‘surety bonds’, aka ‘performance bonds’, would ensure that financial resources are available for the de-orbiting of failed satellites and spent launch vehicle materials, even if satellite operators go out of business. Surety bonds are a common approach in industries such as mining or maritime, guaranteeing operators meet their environmental restitution obligations. The global insurance market has demonstrated its support for SPADRIBs by putting forward an ‘Invitation to Treat’ for up to US$500 million per operator, so long as a spacecraft company clearly shows it can de-orbit third-party space debris, and that SPADRIBs are a condition of launch.
How do the SPADRIBs work? How to get the G7/G20 to purchase such SPADRIBs, or similar, as a condition of launch. Humankind can go to infinity and beyond, but we also need to take out the rubbish. How can Hong Kong get involved and be part of the solution? Can Hong Kong offer such financial instruments to investors and family offices? Let’s find out.
Date
Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Time
15:00 - 17:30 GMT
Cost
Free