orbital debris
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.
The 20th Annual AMOS Conference
The Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies (AMOS) Conference is the premier technical conference in the nation devoted to space surveillance. The cross section of military, contractor, and academic participation fuels important …
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.
Summit for Space Sustainability
The Summit for Space Sustainability will be a high-level multi-day event focused on developing solutions for space sustainability. It will encompass a cross-section of space sustainability issue areas, including space debris, space situational awa…
Military Space USA
SMi Group, organizers of Global MilSatcom, are proud to present the Military Space USA conference and exhibition; convening in Los Angeles on June 11th and 12th 2019.
Featuring high level briefings from senior leadership across industry, g…
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.
FCC to seek comment on revised orbital debris guidelines
The FCC will vote this week to considerproposed changes to orbital debris guidelines that could alter deployment plans for some satellite constellations and shorten the orbital lifetime for experimental satellites.
ISS leak highlights concerns about orbital debris and station operations
As the crew of the International Space Station worked Aug. 30 to fix, at least temporarily, a minor air leak, the incident illustrated the growing orbital debris risk to the outpost and strains in American and Russian approaches to ISS operations.
Virgin Orbit aims to offer responsive launch and constellation maintenance services
Virgin Orbit plans to offer customers a variety of services including responsive launch, maintenance of large satellite constellations and potentially debris removal.
ESA to investigate links between debris removal and satellite servicing
The European Space Agency is revising its e.Deorbit program to look for synergies between the mission and satellite servicing vehicles.
UN committee approves space sustainability guidelines
A United Nations committee reached agreement last week on nine guidelines intended to reduce the risk of collisions in space and other harmful space activities.
Op-ed | Do we care about orbital debris at all?
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has promised to integrate better economic analysis across the commission’s work. Orbital debris would be a fine place to start, and the sooner the better.
Astroscale to partner with SSTL on orbital debris removal mission
Astroscale, a company developing technologies for removing orbital debris, announced Nov. 21 it has awarded a contract to Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) to develop one part of an upcoming demonstration mission.
