A coalition of space experts is urging space operators and global governments to adopt a landmark publication aimed at tackling the “rapidly increasing” risk of space junk collisions.
Inmarsat is one of 27 signatories (see next story, below) to The Space Safety Coalition, which has published new guidelines for organizations working in space in the face of an exponential increase in the number of spacecraft being launched. The guidance lays out best practices for space operators, covering technical recommendations and operating procedures, including:
- Avoiding intentional, space object fragmentations or collisions that place other nations’ interests, satellites, or crew at risk.
- International information sharing between spacecraft owners, operators and stakeholders to avoid future collisions.
- Prioritizing sustainable practices during satellite launches, for example, using re-usable launch vehicles or alternative fuels.
- A list of technical best-practices for designing future spacecraft, including using propulsion systems that prevent gases being released in the atmosphere.
- A ‘rules of the road’-style guidebook for maneuvering spacecraft to avoid collisions.
- Considering future technologies when designing spacecraft to make them more sustainable, such as in-space inspections, refueling and disposal options.
- Improving cybersecurity to reduce the risk of security breaches or unauthorized access of spacecraft.
Inmarsat’s Space Sustainability Report, published in 2022, called on the industry, governments and regulators to strengthen regulation in the space sector in the face of an unprecedented increase in the number of spacecraft in orbit (The space sector has seen a major growth in investment and activity in recent years, rising from $300 million in 2012 to more than $10 billion in 2021, according to research from McKinsey).
The Inmarsat report, produced in partnership with research firm AstroAnalytica, revealed more than 10,000 tons of satellite and rocket objects are currently in Earth’s orbit; a figure that could increase dramatically. Data from the European Space Agency shows an exponential increase in satellite launches to Low Earth Orbit in recent years, with almost 3,000 sent to space between 2020 and 2021 alone (Statistics provided by the European Space Agency Environment Report 2022).
Based on statistical models produced by ESA’s space debris office, it is estimated that there are now 36,500 objects in space larger than 10cm, and an extraordinary 130 million objects between 1mm to 1cm in orbit. All of which move at speeds more than 10,000 kilometres per hour.
“Initiatives like the Space Safety Coalition are an important step towards establishing international best practices and guidelines to protect the space environment, but it is not enough. The clock is ticking, and real action is needed. National regulators everywhere should now use their powers of granting market access to require that satellite operators adhere to best practices like those outlined by the Space Safety Coalition and beyond.” — Rajeev Suri, CEO, Inmarsat
Endorsees to the latest version of SSC guidelines include: ABS, The Aerospace Corporation, Airbus SKYNET Operations Team, Spacecom, AGI, Astroscale, Avanti, COMSPOC, ENPULSION, Exolaunch GmbH, GMV, Hellas Sat, Inmarsat, Intelsat, The IAASS, Iridium, Kall Morris Inc (KMI), LeoLabs, Planet, PAC, Rogue Space Systems, SES, The Secure World Foundation (SWF), Slingshot Aerospace, Space Domain Awareness, the Space Data Association, and Vyoma.
Global “Rules of the Road” included in landmark update to Space Safety Best Practices
The Space Safety Coalition (SSC) has published an enhanced version of its “Best Practices for the Sustainability of Space Operations” (SSC Best Practices) document to address emerging safety and sustainability concerns more proactively in the space environment. The practices provide a model framework of topics that are critical to address for space safety.
“The SSC’s new guidelines are particularly important given today’s rapidly increasing risk of collisions,” said Dan Oltrogge, SSC founder and administrator. “Best practices spanning all phases of the spacecraft life cycle must keep pace as our use of and reliance upon space ever deepens.”
Founded in 2019, the SSC was established to evolve, maintain, and promote a set of best practices for safe space operations. The updated best practices incorporate recent updates to international guidelines and standards from several international governing bodies including the UN, IADC, ISO, and CCSDS. The revised practices improve specific guidance for launch vehicle and spacecraft disposal upon mission completion and add recommendations for cybersecurity, spacecraft anomaly root cause assessment, and prevention of intentional collision or fragmentation events.
“These best practices clearly set aspirational targets to encourage all space actors to advance towards a safer, more responsible and sustainable use of space,” said Charles Law, Sr. Manager of Flight Dynamics at SES. “Importantly, these best practices seek to stop intentional collisions and fragmentations, and it is encouraging to see a framework to coordinate between manoeuvrable satellites and to exchange orbit information.”
To date, 27 industry representatives from the commercial space community have endorsed the updated guidelines including manufacturers, launch providers, spacecraft operators, consultants, foundations, mission extension, active debris removal service providers, commercial SSA companies, and insurers.
“At Planet Labs, the operator of the largest fleet of Earth observation satellites in orbit, we care deeply about safe and sustainable space operations and are proud to endorse these community-led best practices around data sharing and responsible operations, which will help preserve low earth orbit as a global commons for all operators,” said James Mason, SVP of Space Systems at Planet Labs PBC.
“Negotiation to build consensus around norms like these are crucial to safeguard space systems,” said Luc Riesbeck, SSC assistant administrator and a policy research analyst at Astroscale U.S. “We welcome interested stakeholders to participate in this unique coalition to improve the state of the art for space operations safety. Responsible space behavior means you never stop setting new benchmarks – but at the same time, you ensure that the result is meaningful, actionable guidance that operators around the globe can begin putting in place right away.”
The Space Safety Coalition (SSC) is an international organization of satellite operators, government entities, industry representatives, and other key stakeholders that actively promote responsible space safety through the adoption and development of international standards, guidelines, and practices. Established in 2019, the SSC develops and publishes a set of orbit regime-agnostic best practices for the long-term sustainability of space operations. These best practices are applicable to all spacecraft regardless of constellation or physical size or orbital regime. SSC’s international guidelines directly address many aspects of the 21 consensus Long-Term Sustainability (LTS) guidelines approved by the United Nations Committee for the Peaceful Use of Outer Space (UN COPUOS) in June 2019.