Settling the guidelines to cover the entire life cycle of satellites

Settling the guidelines to cover the entire life cycle of satellites
by Staff Writers
Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Jun 12, 2023

In a significant step towards sustainable satellite production and operation, microsatellite pioneer Axelspace Corporation has announced the establishment of the "Green Spacecraft Standard 1.0." This new guideline is aimed at ensuring that the satellite lifecycle adheres to environmentally-friendly practices, in a bid to make sustainable operations the norm within the space industry.

This standard, known as the Green Spacecraft Standard 1.0, is a comprehensive set of guidelines devised by Axelspace. The company has been at the forefront of the space industry since the early 2000s, and its new standard will apply to all future operations, including the AxelLiner project, in collaboration with other spacecraft manufacturing alliance companies.

The Green Spacecraft Standard 1.0 covers a wide range of environmentally-conscious measures to be taken throughout a satellite's life cycle. These measures include green procurement, green manufacturing and testing, and green transportation.

It also provides strategies for the prevention of debris release, post-mission disposal, orbital collision avoidance with debris and other satellites, collaboration with SSA agencies and other satellite operators, orbital object detection, identification, tracking, and third-party review.

Axelspace's approach to environmental responsibility in the space business not only meets, but exceeds, the guidelines set out by national governments and international organizations.

The Green Spacecraft Standard 1.0 is also compliant with the Federal Communication Commission's rules to dispose of decommissioned satellites within five years after their operation. Furthermore, it aligns with the SSR, a proposed sustainability rating system for space operators, largely advocated for in Europe.

Professor Yasuyuki Miyazaki of the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Nihon University is collaborating with Axelspace to further develop and promote international guidelines, including popularizing the SSR in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Green Spacecraft Standard 1.0 is more than just a measure to prevent space debris - it also considers the global environmental impact of satellite manufacturing. It follows on the heels of Axelspace's announcement last year of "AxelLiner," a one-stop service for microsatellites.

The new standard takes a holistic approach to sustainability, accounting for the environmental impact of satellite projects from the design phase through to the end of their mission, both on Earth and in space. Axelspace plans to refine the guideline through technological advances and dialogue within the space industry.

Axelspace remains committed to leading the industry in sustainability efforts, conducting its business activities with careful consideration of both Earth and space's environment.

Research Report:Green Spacecraft Standard