Space debris is already threatening space platforms orbiting the Earth like satellites and manned systems as the International Space Station ISS. To protect humans and technology now and in the foreseeable future, measures must be taken to reduce the risk posed by space debris. Constructional mitigation efforts are already being made to avoid further debris. However, several ideas for the active removal of these objects have been suggested as well, since the amount of space debris is rising despite mitigation efforts and the natural de-orbit times of some of these objects is several hundred and even thousands of years. This paper outlines the basic principles of these ideas. Feasibility will be discussed and improvements and further studies, including brief mission proposals, suggested. Due to the global issues involved regarding space debris, possible financing methods of these missions will be discussed within an economical context, including a brief look at the legal situation.
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