Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty has presented a new study "Cosmic risks: a new generation of complex tasks," which examines the risks that are millions of orbiting satellites and debris for space flight, but also draws attention to the urgent need to clear the debris.

In April 2012 the European Space Agency lost contact with his companion for the observation of the Earth "Envisat," which led to its failure. "Envisat" will revolve around the Earth in about 150 years, and then burn during re-entry. If a huge 8-ton satellite will face the specter of some other object and fall apart, the resulting cloud of debris can further strengthen the already existing threat to working satellites.

This report also emphasizes the critical role of insurance in providing opportunities for the development of space industry.

According to the study of Allianz, the majority of insured commercial satellites. In order to ensure effective implementation of safety around a quarter of all satellites in Earth orbit is insured against physical damage and business interruption.

Most commercial satellites owned by telecommunications service providers. These satellites operate in the so-called geostationary orbit at an altitude of 36,000 km above the equator of the earth no more than 15 years, and at the time of their start up cost is $ 200 million remaining satellites are used mainly to study the Earth and are controlled by the state based on " self-insurance. " Their cost is approximately $ 40 million, and they typically spend up to five years in low-Earth orbits at an altitude of 300 km to 2000 km.

In addition to the protection of satellites, space surveillance authorities and scientists are working diligently to decrease the total amount of space debris. Today, satellite operators are obliged to remove satellites from orbit within 25 years after the end of the mission, although only the latest generation of satellites has the appropriate functionality. One way to de-orbit is a devastating return to the earth's atmosphere.