1.3 Overview of space debris mitigation efforts

Space debris mitigation efforts are crucial for maintaining a safe orbital environment. International guidelines, coordinated by organizations like IADC and UNOOSA, provide a framework for reducing debris generation. These efforts involve collaboration between space agencies and the development of standards for spacecraft design and operation.

Post-mission disposal techniques, such as deorbiting and graveyard orbits, play a key role in mitigating space debris. Active debris removal and space sustainability initiatives are emerging as important strategies for managing the long-term orbital environment and ensuring the responsible use of space.

International Guidelines and Coordination

Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines and Standards

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• Space debris mitigation guidelines provide a framework for reducing the generation of new debris in Earth's orbit
• Guidelines cover various aspects of spacecraft design, operation, and disposal to minimize the creation of debris
• International organizations, such as the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), play a crucial role in developing and promoting these guidelines
• National space agencies and regulatory bodies also establish their own standards and requirements for space debris mitigation (NASA, ESA, JAXA)
• Adherence to these guidelines is voluntary, but increasingly becoming a requirement for obtaining launch licenses and operating permits

Inter-Agency Collaboration and Coordination

• Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) is an international governmental forum for the coordination of activities related to space debris
• IADC members include major space agencies from around the world (NASA, ESA, Roscosmos, JAXA, CNSA)
• Serves as a platform for exchanging information on space debris research, mitigation measures, and best practices
• Develops and publishes technical reports and recommendations on space debris mitigation
• United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) is responsible for promoting international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space
• UNOOSA works with the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) to address space debris issues at the global level
• Facilitates the adoption of UN guidelines and resolutions on space debris mitigation (Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space)

Post-Mission Disposal Techniques

Deorbiting and Controlled Reentry

• Post-mission disposal refers to the actions taken at the end of a spacecraft's operational life to minimize its potential to generate debris
• Deorbiting is a common post-mission disposal technique that involves deliberately removing a spacecraft from orbit
• Controlled reentry is a type of deorbiting where the spacecraft is guided to reenter the Earth's atmosphere and burn up or crash into a designated area (usually over an ocean)
• Deorbiting can be achieved through various methods:
  • Propulsive maneuvers using onboard thrusters to lower the spacecraft's orbit
  • Deploying drag-enhancement devices (drag sails, inflatable balloons) to increase atmospheric drag and accelerate orbital decay
  • Using tethers to generate electrodynamic drag or momentum exchange with other objects
• Challenges associated with deorbiting include ensuring reliable operation of disposal systems, managing the risk of debris surviving reentry, and the cost of additional fuel or hardware

Graveyard Orbits and Passivation

• Graveyard orbits, also known as disposal orbits, are designated regions in space where defunct spacecraft are placed to minimize the risk of collisions with operational satellites
• Typically located above the geostationary orbit (GEO) or in between operational orbital regimes (LEO, MEO)
• Spacecraft are moved to graveyard orbits at the end of their mission using their remaining fuel
• Passivation is the process of depleting onboard energy sources (batteries, fuel tanks, pressurized systems) to reduce the risk of explosions or fragmentation
• Involves venting leftover propellants, discharging batteries, and disabling active systems
• Passivation is often performed in conjunction with moving the spacecraft to a graveyard orbit

Active Debris Removal and Sustainability

Active Debris Removal Techniques and Challenges

• Active debris removal (ADR) involves the deliberate removal of existing debris objects from orbit using specialized spacecraft or systems
• Targets large, intact debris objects that pose a significant collision risk (defunct satellites, rocket upper stages)
• Various ADR techniques have been proposed and are under development:
  • Robotic arms or nets to capture and deorbit debris
  • Harpoons or tethers to attach to debris and tow it to a lower orbit
  • Laser systems to ablate the surface of debris objects and generate a deorbiting thrust
• ADR faces technical, legal, and economic challenges:
  • Rendezvous and proximity operations with non-cooperative targets
  • Ensuring the structural integrity of debris objects during capture and removal
  • Liability and ownership issues related to removing objects owned by other entities
  • High cost of ADR missions compared to the perceived benefits

Space Sustainability and Long-Term Orbital Environment Management

• Space sustainability refers to the responsible use and preservation of the orbital environment for future generations
• Involves a holistic approach to space activities, considering the long-term impacts on the space environment
• Includes implementing effective space debris mitigation measures, promoting international cooperation, and developing technologies for debris removal and on-orbit servicing
• Requires a shift in mindset from treating space as an infinite resource to recognizing it as a shared, limited commodity
• Sustainable space practices aim to balance the benefits of space utilization with the need to maintain a safe and stable orbital environment
• Initiatives such as the Space Sustainability Rating (SSR) provide a framework for assessing the sustainability of space missions and incentivizing responsible behavior