Part 8/9:
One possible, albeit grim, prospect is that a significant debris event—like a major Kessler Syndrome—could cause a large segment of low Earth orbit to become unusable. However, due to atmospheric drag, such debris often deorbits within about a decade, potentially resetting the environment and allowing for a fresh start.
Until then, the era of rapid satellite deployment will likely continue to heighten risks. The current trend toward "de-globalization" and regionalization of space activities might mean a slowdown, with some experts suggesting that space operations could be paused or scaled back for around ten years. This pause could provide critical time to develop better debris mitigation technologies and international agreements.