Subject: [IMPORTANT] Notice of Scheduled Collection — Orbital Property (3rd Notice)
Dear Property Owner,
Thank you for your continued support of the Low Earth Orbit maintenance effort.
Pursuant to Article 12 of the Orbital Sanitation Treaty, we write to inform you that a collection date has been confirmed for the object listed below, which remains registered under your ownership.
Object: Satellite debris (Catalog No. LK-2041-7793)
Orbit: Altitude 782 km, inclination 51.6°
Estimated mass: 4.2 kg
Scheduled collection date: June 15, 2041
Collection team: ClearSpace Ltd., Recovery Unit 9
This notice serves as final notification, as two previous requests have gone unanswered. Should no objection be filed before the scheduled date, the object will be dismantled and recycled at this Bureau’s discretion.
A collection fee of 82,400 credits will be billed to the owner.
A reply thread followed below.
From: Yamamoto Kenji To: Low Earth Orbit Sanitation Bureau, Collection Management Division
To Whom It May Concern,
I have reviewed your notice. I must respectfully clarify that LK-2041-7793 is not my property. The satellite in question was launched in 2031, but it sustained damage in a collision in 2036 and ownership was transferred to my insurer at that time. I can provide the policy number — please direct further inquiries to them.
From: Low Earth Orbit Sanitation Bureau, Collection Management Division To: Yamamoto Kenji
Dear Mr. Yamamoto,
We contacted the insurer in question (Sora Mutual Insurance). Unfortunately, the company ceased to exist following a 2038 merger, and the current holder of the transferred rights cannot be determined. Under Article 12, Paragraph 3 of the Treaty, collection liability reverts to the original launch operator.
From: Yamamoto Kenji To: Low Earth Orbit Sanitation Bureau, Collection Management Division
I am aware of that provision. However, the 2036 collision was caused by the other party’s failure to deorbit their satellite. Fault lies with the other operator, as does responsibility for the resulting debris. Their catalog number is GX-2029-0041.
From: Low Earth Orbit Sanitation Bureau, Collection Management Division To: Yamamoto Kenji
Dear Mr. Yamamoto,
The operator of GX-2029-0041 was the Earth Integrated Space Agency (formerly under ESA jurisdiction). The department responsible at the time of the incident no longer exists due to organizational restructuring. We are currently working to identify the successor unit.
Please note that this inquiry may take up to 180 business days to resolve. In the meantime, the debris continues to descend along its current trajectory and is projected to cross the ISS reboost orbit.
From: Yamamoto Kenji To: Low Earth Orbit Sanitation Bureau, Collection Management Division
When is the projected ISS crossing?
From: Low Earth Orbit Sanitation Bureau, Collection Management Division To: Yamamoto Kenji
Approximately 90 days from now.
From: Yamamoto Kenji To: Low Earth Orbit Sanitation Bureau, Collection Management Division
So there is a possibility of collision before you finish identifying who is responsible.
From: Low Earth Orbit Sanitation Bureau, Collection Management Division To: Yamamoto Kenji
Dear Mr. Yamamoto,
That is correct. This matter has accordingly been escalated to emergency status and the collection date has been moved forward. The new scheduled collection date is April 3, 2041.
An emergency surcharge of 41,200 credits has been added, bringing your total to 123,600 credits.
From: Yamamoto Kenji To: Low Earth Orbit Sanitation Bureau, Collection Management Division
I have already told you this is not my property.
From: Low Earth Orbit Sanitation Bureau, Collection Management Division To: Yamamoto Kenji
Dear Mr. Yamamoto,
Under Article 12, Paragraph 3 of the Treaty, liability reverts to the original launch operator. If you wish to contest this determination, you may file a claim with the Orbital Dispute Arbitration Committee. Processing time is approximately 14 months.
Please be advised that the laws of physics governing the debris will not pause during arbitration proceedings.
From: Yamamoto Kenji To: Low Earth Orbit Sanitation Bureau, Collection Management Division
Fine. I’ll pay.
Please send me your account number.
From: Low Earth Orbit Sanitation Bureau, Collection Management Division To: Yamamoto Kenji
Dear Mr. Yamamoto,
Thank you for your prompt resolution of this matter. Payment has been confirmed.
We do wish to inform you of one additional development: upon capturing the debris, our recovery team discovered a well-preserved observation data unit inside the wreckage. It contains atmospheric observation data from 2031 — data that is, apparently, rare empirical material of significant value to current climate modeling research. The Earth Integrated Space Agency has expressed interest in purchasing it for 500,000 credits.
Under applicable law, ownership of the data reverts to the original launch operator.
Please let us know how you would like to proceed.