orbital debris
11th IAASS Conference: Manging Risk in Space
The 11th IAASS Conference “Managing Risk in Space”, organized in cooperation with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is an invitation to reflect and exchange information on a number of space safety and sustainability topics of natio…
Understanding the FCC’s outsized impact on the space industry
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission is not a space agency, but many of its actions have shaping impacts on what happens in space.
National Space Council in discussions on FCC orbital debris policies
The National Space Council is in discussions with the Federal Communications Commission and other agencies about new orbital debris mitigation regulations after the FCC deferred a decision last month on a controversial set of measures.
Op-ed | Maintaining healthy orbital neighborhoods
As orbits become more densely populated, and conjunctions and near misses more likely, we need to act now to protect space assets and their orbital neighborhoods.
Webinar Replay | From Orbital Debris to GPS vs 5G: Decoding the FCC’s Role in Space Policy
Join SpaceNews staff writers Jeff Foust and Caleb Henry for a panel discussion on the FCC's 5G and orbital debris actions and where the independent agency fits into space policy efforts by the Trump administration and Congress.
FCC punts controversial space debris rules for extra study
The Federal Communications Commission on April 23 voted to require more safety disclosures from satellite operators seeking licenses and U.S. market access, but stopped short of introducing stricter orbital debris criteria.
Potential satellite collision shows need for active debris removal
Two decades-old defunct spacecraft are in danger of colliding Jan. 29, an event experts argue is more evidence of the need to clean up low Earth orbit.
Orbital debris mitigation guidelines still useful, if complied with
A long-standing guideline for deorbiting satellites within 25 years, criticized by many in the space industry for being too long, is still effective for reducing the growth of orbital debris so long as satellite operators abide by it, according to an orbital debris expert.
2010-2019: The decade in space
It was a decade of enormous change. When it began, SpaceX was on the ropes, cubesats were teaching tools, NASA’s lunar ambitions were back on hold and no one in Washington was calling for a Space Force.
U.S. government updates orbital debris mitigation guidelines
The federal government issued updated guidelines Dec. 9 to mitigate the creation of orbital debris, but many in the space safety community were disappointed with the limited scope of the changes.
Decommissioned Earth science satellite to remain in orbit for centuries
A U.S.-European satellite that completed its mission earlier this month has been decommissioned but will remain in orbit for as long as 1,000 years, far beyond existing orbital debris mitigation guidelines.
Clusters, not constellations, pose biggest orbital debris risk
Despite the ongoing debate about the orbital debris risks posed by proposed satellite megaconstellations, one expert believes that an even greater risk comes from clusters of objects already in orbit.
Incentives and requirements may be needed to enhance space sustainability
With satellite operators doing a poor job complying with guidelines to deorbit their satellites, incentives or even regulation may be inevitable to address concerns about orbital debris and satellite collisions.
OneWeb founder Wyler calls for responsible smallsat operations
The founder of broadband megaconstellation company OneWeb urged the smallsat industry to operate responsibly in orbit, warning that failed satellites and collisions could result in stifling government regulation.
TriSept, Millennium, Tethers Unlimited and Rocket Lab to demonstrate de-orbit technology
TriSept Corp., a launch integration and mission management company based in Chantilly, Virginia, announced work Aug. 5 with Rocket Lab and Millennium Space Systems on Dragracer, a mission to demonstrate a way to de-orbit satellites at the conclusion of their missions.
Consortium to develop “space sustainability” rating system
The World Economic Forum has selected a consortium of companies, universities and agencies to develop a system to rate the sustainability of space systems, one that its backers hope will encourage good behavior in space.
