24/7 Space News
TECH SPACE
Technological to-do list for zero space debris by 2030
illustration only
Technological to-do list for zero space debris by 2030
by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) Jan 16, 2025

The space industry is increasingly uniting to address the pressing issue of space debris. However, significant technological advancements are still needed to effectively reduce the risks it poses.

Preventing the generation of new debris, avoiding collisions, and efficiently removing satellites from orbit at the end of their operational life are challenging objectives that require innovative solutions. To guide these efforts, the Zero Debris Technical Booklet was publicly released on January 15, 2025. This document outlines the technologies required to achieve the Zero Debris goal by 2030, essentially forming a technical roadmap for the effort.

Building a Zero Debris community

The Zero Debris initiative is spearheaded by ESA and supported by the Zero Debris community, which includes signatories of the Zero Debris Charter. This community, comprising 18 nations and more than 100 organizations, companies, and academic institutions, has committed to the Charter since its launch in November 2023. Together, these stakeholders aim to achieve measurable targets for reducing reentry risks, preventing collisions, and curbing debris generation.

The Charter establishes benchmarks with specific risk-level goals for reentries, collisions, and debris creation. Since its inception, the community has actively collaborated in conferences and workshops, culminating in the publication of the Zero Debris Technical Booklet.

Zero Debris Technical Booklet

This community-driven document highlights technical solutions required to meet the Charter's targets. Contributors include engineers, operators, scientists, legal experts, and policy professionals. Six key technological objectives are detailed:

1. Preventing the release of new debris, from small particles to larger rocket bodies.

2. Reducing debris creation through collision or breakup avoidance.

3. Enhancing space traffic surveillance and coordination systems.

4. Ensuring prompt removal of satellites from critical low-Earth and geostationary orbits after mission completion.

5. Minimizing risks of ground casualties from satellite reentries.

6. Deepening knowledge of debris effects, including their impact on Earth's atmosphere and astronomical observations.

The Technical Booklet will remain a dynamic reference, updated to reflect new insights and technological developments.

How to achieve Zero Debris

Achieving Zero Debris by 2030 requires pursuing multiple technological pathways in tandem. Key priorities include:

Zero Debris satellites: Developing satellites that are robust, resistant to breakups, and equipped for controlled de-orbiting. Innovations in debris-resistant materials, reentry burn-up technology, and standardized removal interfaces are essential.

Launch and deployment: Efforts must extend to launch systems, ensuring deorbiting of spent rocket stages and eliminating the release of small particles from fuels and pyrotechnics.

Operations and collision avoidance: Advanced tracking systems to detect smaller debris and improved communication and risk assessment technologies are critical to optimizing collision avoidance protocols.

End-of-life strategies: Active debris removal, environmentally safer reentry methods, and research into the effects of debris on oceans and the atmosphere are required to ensure sustainable satellite decommissioning.

ESA's leadership in Zero Debris

ESA has taken a leadership role in space sustainability, introducing its Zero Debris initiative in 2023. This includes enhanced debris mitigation requirements, updated policies, and the continued publication of its annual Space Environment Report. Through these efforts, ESA is facilitating both the Charter and the Technical Booklet.

Looking beyond Zero Debris

ESA's vision extends beyond achieving Zero Debris by 2030. The agency aims to foster a circular economy in space, emphasizing in-orbit servicing, manufacturing, and recycling to extend satellite lifespans and conserve resources while maintaining the Zero Debris standard.

Research Report:Zero Debris Technical Booklet

Related Links
Zero Debris Charter at ESA
Space Technology News - Applications and Research

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
TECH SPACE
Monitoring space traffic
Boston MA (SPX) Jan 10, 2025
AeroAstro PhD student Sydney Dolan uses an interdisciplinary approach to develop collision-avoidance algorithms for satellites. If there's a through line in Sydney Dolan's pursuits, it's a fervent belief in being a good steward - both in space and on Earth. As a doctoral student in the MIT Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AeroAstro), Dolan is developing a model that aims to mitigate satellite collisions. They see space as a public good, a resource for everyone. "There's a real concern ... read more

TECH SPACE
NASA Opens New Challenge to Inspire Climate Solutions

India becomes 4th nation to complete unmanned docking in space

India achieves 'historic' space docking mission

Stranded astronaut Suni Williams performs spacewalk at ISS

TECH SPACE
ISRO demonstrates restart of Vikas engine

Galactic Energy launches five satellites into orbit

Top Beijing official urges Musk to deepen ties with China: state media

China deploys three spacecraft with Long March 2D rocket

TECH SPACE
The Mars Pivot

ORBIMARS: A proposed terminology for Mars orbital operations

Now That's Ingenuity: First Aircraft Measurement of Winds on Another Planet

NASA Sets Sights on Mars Terrain with Revolutionary Tire Tech

TECH SPACE
Shenzhou XIX crew completes second spacewalk

Shenzhou XIX crew completes second spacewalk mission

China unveils logos for three space missions in 2025

China's space station to drive over 1000 research projects

TECH SPACE
The Tyranny of the VC Equation Why Your Company Might Not Be "VC-able"

South American Space Programs: No Cooperation, No Gains

Stoke Space secures $260M in Series C Funding

The Space Economy to Reach $944 Billion by 2033

TECH SPACE
Flexential Links Up with Lonestar to Support First Commercial Space Data Center

Bright Ascension software powers Czech Republic's largest satellite mission

Technological to-do list for zero space debris by 2030

Surrey Satellite Opens Advanced Imaging R&D Cleanroom

TECH SPACE
Not all Hot Jupiters orbit solo

Discovery of two planets challenges planetary formation theories

Super Venus discovery reveals new type of exoplanet

Double the disks double the discovery new insights into planet formation in DF Tau

TECH SPACE
SwRI models suggest Pluto and Charon formed similarly to Earth and Moon

Citizen scientists help decipher Jupiter's cloud composition

Capture theory unveils how Pluto and Charon formed as a binary system

Texas A and M researchers illuminate the mysteries of icy ocean worlds

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.