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This community is dedicated to sharing sustainable space insights and supporting standards development by facilitating industry engagement, discussion and promoting the exchange of best practice.

    105 entries

    • Media Mentions

      An article in the guardian about Space Junk speaks to Astroscale about their Active Debris Removal (ADR) work.  Meanwhile the BBC spoke to Orbit Fab about their refuelling study, and ClearSpace were mentioned in The Sun newspaper in print (see below), after speaking to a reporter at New Scientist Live.

      •    Read the Guardian Article
      •    Read the BBC Article
    • UK Space Agency “Next Generation” Sustainability Video now on youTube

      To complement the recently updated video showcasing the UK Space Agency’s portfolio of Space Sustainability activities, we have released a second video highlighting our outreach efforts aimed at reaching new audiences, particularly communicating the importance of sustainability in space to the next generation. 
      Both videos can be seen below, or are available in the Hub Resources - Media section.
      Next Generation Video:
      Sustainability Video:
       
      Sustainability Video:
       
    • UK and New Zealand agree blueprint for satellite removal and servicing missions

      The UK and New Zealand have signed a blueprint for enabling multi-state active debris removal and in-orbit servicing missions. The arrangement, the first of its kind in the world, was signed at the International Astronautical Congress in Milan. It provides a set of principles for allocating liability between different states involved in the different stages of these missions, within the framework of the Liability Convention.   
      As the Liability Convention was established in 1967, when most space missions were led by governments, the UK and New Zealand are hoping to reduce barriers for industry to carry out these important mission types. 
      •    Read more
    • ESA In-Orbit Servicing mission

      ESA recently awarded a contract to D-Orbit for their commercial geostationary in-orbit servicing mission 'RISE', led by Italy.  A small UK consortium led by D-Orbit-UK is supporting the mission, funded through the ESA Space Safety Programme.
      Through the ESA Programme the UK is also supporting the ClearSpace-1 (or ADRIOS-1) active debris removal mission and ClearSpace's geostationary in-orbit servicing mission ENCORE.  All of the missions are expected to launch in 2027 - 2028.
      The ESA Programme is developing a wide range of technologies for observing, tracking and mitigating the risk of space debris.
      •    Read the announcement
    • NSpOC track Polaris Dawn and Intelsat 33E debris.

      In September the National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC) reported on the re-entry of ESA's satellite 'Salsa', which landed in the South Pacific. and the debris from Polaris Dawn mission which re-entered over the Atlantic. 
      NSpOC are currently tracking debris from the breakup of Intelsat 33E which took place on the 19th October, and maintaining an assessment of collision risk to UK satellites including SKYNET 5D, a UK military operations satellite. This is the second fragmentation in GEO in as many months, with Atlas 5 Centaur rocket body fragmenting in September.    

      The most recent NSpOC public monthly report records monitoring of  50 uncontrolled debris re-entries, and warnings to UK-licensed satellite operators of over 3,000 potential collision risks, the highest monthly number of such warnings this year.  Recent uncontrolled re-entries peaked in August at 89, when the numbers were particularly high due to planned re-entry campaigns which were designed for demise.
      •    Read the August NSpOC report
      •    Read the September NSpOC report
    •   

      Update: Refuelling Studies

      Two UK Space Agency funded refuelling feasibility studies, led by Astroscale and ClearSpace, have recently been completed.  
      The other two ongoing studies, led by Orbit Fab and Thales Alenia Space, are due to complete later this year. 
       
      Featured Image Credit: Orbit Fab
    •   

      Survey Launched: Opportunities and Value of the ISAM Market

      As part of their work on researching the future opportunities and value of the In-space Service, Assembly and Manufacturing (ISAM) market, know.space are conducting a survey focused on Active Debris Removal (ADR), Last Mile Delivery (LMD), Life Extension Services (LES), and Controlled De-Orbiting.  
      The survey should take ~5-15 minutes to complete and inputs from UK and non-UK orgs are both valuable and encouraged.  The survey deadline is November 17 and the study is due to complete in January 2025.
      Their research also covers opportunities for In-Space Manufacturing and Assembly, for which they are engaging with stakeholders (especially operators and potential users) directly - if you would like to share your perspectives, please reach out to them at ISAM@know.space to arrange a consultation.
      Respond to the Survey Here
    • Orbit Fab and Astroport join forces

      SpaceNews reports that pioneering in-space refuelling and in-situ resource utilisation company Orbit Fab have announced a strategic partnership with Astroport Space Technologies, announced at the 75th International Aeronautical Congress (IAC) in Milan in October, with a focus on the sustainability of lunar missions.  
      Amongst the aims of the partnership are collaboration to enhance Orbit Fab's “Gas Stations in Space™” to ensure fuel is available for spacecraft operating in lunar orbit and on the lunar surface. This will enable longer missions, while also reducing launch costs and long-term risks to the space environment.
      Daniel Faber, CEO of Orbit Fab, said, “We are excited to partner with Astroport to explore the vast potential of lunar resources and to develop the infrastructure needed to support and fuel future space exploration activities.
      Sam Ximenes, founder and CEO of Astroport, added “By developing our technologies in essential lunar resource extraction with a supporting infrastructure enabling a supply chain capability for Orbit Fab’s innovative approach to orbital in-space refueling, we can create the foundation for a thriving lunar economy.”
       
    • US Military uncertain about ISAM

      Although interested in satellite refuelling services, the US military remain to be convinced by other ISAM services, reports SpaceNews. 
      The US military operates some of the most expensive geostationary satellites, so keeping them functioning for as long as possible is high priority, and refuelling has attracted their attention.  However more advanced services, such as component replacement or repair, have yet to win buy-in from this key potential early customer, likely due to technical uncertainties and budgetary constraints.  
      Lori Gordon, director of the Space Enterprise Evolution Directorate at Aerospace Corp., highlighted the need for clear pathways to government contracts and moves to increase investor confidence to avoid innovative technologies being stuck at the prototype stage, and failing to become viable products. 
    • Space Forge and Voyager Sign In-Space Manufacturing MoU

      SpaceWatch global report on the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Space Foge and Voyager Space.  They will look at integrating Space Forge's ForgeStar series, a commercially driven, flexible, reusable platform focused on in-space research and manufacturing, with Voyager’s orbital capabilities.  
      Voyager and Space forge, working together, will harness the unique environment of space to deliver higher quality material production standards than can be achieved on Earth, while reducing carbon emissions and energy usage.  It is hoped that this will produce next-level solutions for a range of industries requiring high-performance materials.  
       
      Featured image credit: Space Forge
    • Blog: Space Sustainability at New Scientist Live

      The UK Space Agency’s Sustainability team joined ClearSpace and Astroscale at New Scientist Live in London on 12-14 October 2024, to talk to the public about Space Debris and why we need to #KeepSpaceTidy.

      Attending this type of event is a key opportunity for the space sector to engage with the general public.  At New Scientist Live we were particularly working to communicate three key messages:
      the importance of space services to our everyday lives; the scale and urgency of the problem of space debris; and what we are doing about it, including career opportunities in this sector. We took along a variety of on-stand events to help us engage with people of all ages, including the opportunity to build an Active Debris Removal (ADR) spacecraft from Lego, guess how much Lego space debris was in a jar (a surprisingly popular pastime!), try out the Orbiter and Space Protector computer games from Astroscale, and go fishing for space junk in a fairground-inspired game by ClearSpace.  Viasat colleagues also joined us on the stand, providing VR headsets and a game related to orbital debris, which proved very popular. 
          
       
      The UK Space Agency's Head of Sustainability, Ray Fielding, gave a talk entitled "Space Debris: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" on the Engage Stage, during which the ClearSpace mascot cleared up some Space Junk in a live-action demonstration of Active Debris Removal (ADR), while the team also arranged several other talks on the STEM Learning Ambassador stage.  These included ESA Astronaut and UK Space Agency Exploration Commercialisation Lead Meganne Christian discussing Space Sustainability from an Astronaut's perspective, the finalists of the 2024 Viasat Beyond:Space competition talking about their experiences, photographer Max Alexander talking about his Our Fragile Space exhibition, and Orange Skies Theatre Artistic Director Daisy Minto speaking about their production SpaceJunk.

      Puppeteers from Orange Skies Theatre also joined us at the event and brought along their SuitSat puppet to bring space debris to life.  Being very visual and able to roam around the hall, this drew a great deal of attention was a great way to engage with members of the audience we might otherwise have missed.  It also proved very popular for photos, making use of the giant photo frame we had taken along to spread the word about space sustainability.

      We also used the event to launch an online "build an ADR spacecraft" competition on X, and showcase our new video which talks about our outreach efforts, especially to communicate the importance of sustainability in space to the next generation.
      Overall it was a very busy and tiring few days, but many interesting discussions were had with members of the public from primary school children through to adults, some of whom were already very engaged with space exploration and services and well aware of the problems of space debris, others of whom knew little or nothing about the subject.  
       
    • Space Debris Podcast

      Series 4 Episode 13 of the In Orbit podcast from the Satellite Applications Catapult discusses space debris and the challenges it presents to the space sector.
      Guests include Gary Cannon, Space Segment Lead at the Satellite Applications Catapult; Valentin Valhondo, Program Manager for ClearSpace; and Pat Mathewson, Head of Business Strategy and Analysis at Astroscale. The episode is hosted by Dallas Campbell, Broadcaster and Writer.
       
       
    • ESA says it is in talks with SpaceX on Zero Debris Charter, with Amazon already signed

      ESA is in talks with SpaceX about the possibility of them joining an international charter designed to reduce a growing swarm of debris in space, Director General Josef Aschbacher told Reuters. 
      Aschbacher said 110 countries or entities have joined ESA's Zero Debris charter, which aims to stop any new orbital garbage being generated by 2030.
      Asked whether SpaceX, whose satellites now make up some two thirds of spacecraft active in low Earth orbit, had signed up, Aschbacher said: "Not yet, but we are in discussion with them... This is a charter that keeps evolving and... we will keep raising the topics because they are so fundamental."
      Amazon has signed up to the charter, Aschbacher said.
    • Intelsat 33e loses power in geostationary orbit

      An Intelsat satellite lost power on 19 October and is no longer providing communications services for customers across Europe, Africa and parts of Asia Pacific – with the company stating that it is unlikely to be  recoverable.  In an update on 21 October they confirmed the total loss of the satellite. 
      The US Space Force have confirmed that they are tracking around 20 pieces of debris resulting from the anomaly. 
      The first, Intelsat-29e, was also lost in orbit in 2019, just three years after launch, with the loss thought to be due to an impact from a meteoroid or an electrical fault affected by space weather. 
      The cause of the outage of Intelsat-33e is unknown, but the satellite had previously faced issues with its propulsion systems.  The company said it is working with government agencies to analyse data and observations and has set up a Failure Review Board to investigate the anomaly’s cause.
      The incident generated considerable media interest and was reported by many outlets including Daily Mail,  Independent, Space News, Satnews, Space.com, and Newsweek.
       
       
      Featured Image: An artist's concept of a Boeing-built Intelsat EpicNG satellite.
      Credit: Boeing
    • Company says 'cosmic petrol station' ready by 2027

      Space junk was the focus of a BBC News story about the £1.3m UK Space Agency funded Spitfire project from Harwell based Orbit Fab, which aims to make refuelling in space a reality.
      Currently satellites in orbit cannot be refuelled, meaning that when they run out of fuel they just drift around and become space junk.
      Jas Tiruvuru, business development manager for Orbit Fab in the UK and Europe, said the company was aiming to successfully demonstrate the technology in space by 2027. "This will essentially be the first ever satellite to satellite refuelling demonstration funded here in the UK," she said." Once we've proven that we can refuel to two spacecrafts we'll be able to unlock a huge market potential."
    • Has the number of satellite launches reached a tipping point?

      An article in The Observer this weekend focused on the growing issue of space debris, talking to companies including Astroscale and to the Secure World Foundation and Earth Sustainability Initiative to discuss the problem and potential solutions.
      The article references a 2022 overview paper by Viasat which paints an almost apocalyptic picture: “Without timely intervention, we risk bringing the space age to an inglorious end, and trapping humanity on Earth under a layer of its own trash for centuries, or even millennia.”
      Also referenced is the £1.95m funding Astroscale received from the UK Space Agency for the next stage of its Cleaning Outer Space Mission through Innovative Capture (Cosmic) spacecraft project, which hopes to launch in 2027-28.
    • Blog: Avoiding a Space Sustainability Tipping Point

      - Written by Jodie Howlett 
      The UK Space Agency was actively involved in the Space Generation Advisory Council's (SGAC) Space Generation Congress (SGC) 2024, held in Milan from October 10-12, 2024. This event, which preceded the 75th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), was a significant gathering for 133 students and young professionals from all over the world, providing a platform for networking, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas. 
      The UK Space Agency's participation in the SGC 2024 underscored its commitment to fostering the next generation of space leaders and promoting Space Sustainability. The Agency's involvement was multifaceted, encompassing sponsorship, active participation in working groups, and the provision of scholarships to promising young professionals and students. 
      One of the key highlights of the UK Space Agency's involvement was its sponsorship of the Space Sustainability Working Group. This Working Group, titled “Avoiding a Space Sustainability Tipping Point – Urgent Challenges and How to Tackle Them”, focused on addressing urgent challenges related to space sustainability, including the removal of legacy space debris and the implementation of debris offsetting funds. The UK Space Agency's support for this working group aligned with its broader mission to ensure the long-term sustainability of space activities and to mitigate the environmental impact of space operations. 
      In addition to its sponsorship, the UK Space Agency was also actively involved in the organization and facilitation of the working group sessions, namely Emma King, Liz Cox and Jodie Howlett from the Space Sustainability team, and Wadha Salah from the International Relations team. 
      The UK Space Agency's commitment to nurturing young talent was further demonstrated through its scholarship program. The agency awarded scholarships to two outstanding young professionals and students, enabling them to attend the SGC 2024 and participate in its various activities. This initiative not only provided valuable opportunities for the scholarship recipients but also helped to build a diverse and inclusive community of future space leaders. 
      The UK Space Agency's involvement in the SGC 2024 was part of its broader role in engaging with the international space community and promoting UK leadership in Space Sustainability. By participating in events like the SGC, the UK Space Agency was able to showcase its initiatives, share its expertise, and collaborate with other space agencies, organizations, and industry leaders. Through its sponsorship, active participation, and scholarship program, the UK Space Agency made a significant contribution to the success of the SGC 2024 and to the broader goals of the Space Generation Advisory Council. This involvement not only benefited the UK space community but also contributed to the global effort to ensure the sustainable and responsible use of space. 
    •   

      UK and New Zealand sign space arrangement

      The UK and New Zealand space agencies signed an arrangement for removal and servicing of satellites in orbit at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Milan.
      The arrangement, signed at the International Astronautical Congress in Milan, is designed to support missions in the fast-growing areas of in-orbit servicing, space debris removal and satellite refuelling, known as ‘rendezvous and proximity’ operations.  
      The work between the UK and New Zealand demonstrates how international cooperation in this area can keep space sustainable for current and future generations.
      The agreement builds on the 1972 Liability Convention, helping clarify liability for future in-orbit servicing and removal missions that require satellites to approach and rendezvous with each other – but which could come from multiple launching states.
    • Experts acknowledge challenges of space debris

      Experts gathered at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2024 in Milan, the theme of which was “Responsible Space for Sustainability” discussed debris mitigation and remediation, concluding that there are no simple answers, reports Space News. 
      Researchers presented numerous of papers on debris-related issues such as detection, tracking and related legal, policy and economic considerations, and experts discussed space situational awareness (SSA), active debris removal (ADR) and automated collision avoidance.
      These discussions highlighted the challenges of different satellite operators, commercial, scientific and defense organizations having different views, guidelines and policies around space debris mitigation, and differing priorities between organisations launching large constellations and those developing single, unique satellites.  
      They also discussed the particular challenges associated with megaconstallations.  With no internationally agreed "rules of the road", communication is key between operators launching satellites through the orbital shell of a large constellation and the constellation operators.
    • 18 more satellites launched in China's Thousand Sails constellation

      China has launched another 18 satellites as part of its planned 14,000-strong communications constellation Qianfan or "Thousand Sails", also known as G60 Starlink, reports Space News. 
      This is the second such recent launch, the first having created a cloud of space debris when the Long March 6A rocket’s upper stage fragmented.
      There are also concerns over the bright reflectiveness of the satellites causing issues for astronomy.
       
      Featured image: The second batch of Qianfan/Thousand Sails satellites launches on a Long March 6A rocket from Taiyuan, Oct. 15, 2024.
      Credit: Ourspace
    •   

      D-orbit win €119.6 million contract for GEO satellite life extension

      Space News  and Spacewatch Global report on Italian space logistics company D-Orbit's plans for a spacecraft servicing vehicle, for which it has secured an €119.6 million contract from the European Space Agency (ESA), announced at the at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC). 
      The D-orbit vehicle, known as the General Expansion Architecture (GEA) spacecraft-servicing vehicle, will rendezvous, dock with and take over the attitude- and orbit-control functions of a geostationary satellite. 
      GEA will be designed to relocate and repair satellites with a view to capturing and recycling valuable spacecraft components in orbit in the future.  Its first mission, the RISE life-extension mission, is likely to occur in 2027 or 2028 and forms part of ESA’s Active Debris Removal/In-Orbit Servicing (ADRIOS) project.
       
       
       
       
    • French startup secures funding for VLEO constellation

      French start-up Constellation Technologies & Operations has secured $10 million in funding from France’s state-backed Expansion Ventures to pursue its plans for a constellation of small 5G broadband satellites in very low Earth orbit (VLEO), reports Space News. 
      The funds will support completion of engineering studies for its first two satellites, expected to launch in 2026, as well as initial end-to-end tests.
      Each satellite will weigh approximately 350kg, and orbit at 335 km above the Earth.  VLEO orbits enable speedier communications than LEO and higher orbits, but have higher air drag which the satellites must overcome to remain in orbit.
      To overcome this the satellites will have “a very specific aerodynamic profile”, and are expected to remain in VLEO for seven years before breaking up naturally in the atmosphere within one year.
      The start-up expects to deploy the full constellation of 1500 satellites between 2027 and 2029.
       
      Featured image: A rendering of a Constellation Technologies & Operations satellite, designed to operate in very low Earth orbit (VLEO).
      Credit: Constellation Technologies & Operations
    • Spaceplane performs novel aerobraking to mitigate orbital debris

      SpaceNews reports on an announcement by the US Space Force that their X-37B spaceplane will perform a series of aerobraking maneuvers to adjust its orbit.
      The aerobraking maneuvers will make use of drag from the Earth's atmosphere change the spacecraft's orbit using minimal fuel, and is a first for the spaceplane, which has previously conducted six successful missions.
      The maneuvers will provide an opportunity for the spaceplane to jettison its service module, originally used to carry experimental payloads and scientific instruments, in a manner compliant with guidelines for mitigating orbital debris. 
       
      Featured image: Artist rendering of the X-37B conducting an aerobraking maneuver using the drag of Earth’s atmosphere.
      Credit: Boeing Space
    • New Orbital Debris Quarterly News issue released

      A new issue of The Orbital Debris Quarterly News (ODQN) is now available via the NASA Orbital Debris Program Office web server at the NASA Johnson Space Center, and can be downloaded from the ODQN site.
      Volume 28, Issue 4 (October 2024) contains articles on:
      Three New On-orbit Fragmentations NASA's ODPO Wins Software of the Year Award Aerodynamic Demise Model for Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer DebriSat: 10 years and Growing Meeting Reports Upcoming Meetings NASA ODPO Abstracts Space Missions and Satellite Box Score
    • Scientists concerned about ISS ocean impact

      Concerns raised by marine environment specialists and environmental watchdog groups over end-of-life plans for the International Space Station (ISS) have been reported by Space News. 
      The ISS is due to be de-orbited in 2031, with the $843 million contract for doing so awarded by Nasa to SpaceX.  
      The 400 tons of space hardware, which is already suffering from cracks and air leaks after decades in orbit, is not expected to entirely burn up during re-entry.  The remains will join predecessors such as Mir and several of the Salyut space stations at the "spacecraft cemetary" Point Nemo, the farthest point from land in the middle of the Pacific ocean.
      This has caused concern amongst the scientific community, with one expert likening the plan to the dumping of unused ammunition from World War II in the oceans, while another compared it to the dumping of dumping single-use plastics in the marine environment. 
      The disposal plan is being evaluated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  
       
      Featured Image: International Space Station
      Image Credit: Nasa
       
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