Mitigation Measures

Mitigation Measures

Space Debris Mitigation Measures in 2013

United States views on international law [1] in relation to Space Debris Mitigation Measures: On April 11, 2013, Brian Israel, U.S. Representative to the Legal Subcommittee of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space(“COPUOS”), delivered the statement for the United States at a general exchange of information on space debris mitigation measures during the COPUOS Legal Subcommittee's 52nd Session. Mr. Israel's remarks appear below.

Some Aspects of Space Debris Mitigation Measures

Mr. Chairman, we are pleased that this subcommittee is continuing to exchange information regarding national mechanisms relating to space debris mitigation measures, as well as international mechanisms such as ESA's Administrative Instruction on Space Debris Mitigation for Agency Projects and debris mitigation mechanisms employed by other international organizations. The United States has long recognized the importance of managing the creation and effects of space debris, and those U.S. Government agencies that participate in and license outer space activities have a robust framework of statutes, regulations, and internal policies that take into account space debris mitigation from the design stage of a satellite or space launch system to its end-of-life disposal. We provided a detailed overview of U.S. mechanisms during the 49th Session of the Legal Subcommittee, and I would like to provide an update.

Developments

Central to the debris mitigation efforts in U.S. Government missions are the United States Government Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices, which many will recall served as the basis for the space debris mitigation guidelines developed and adopted by the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) in 2002, and the UNCOPUOS Space Debris Mitigation Guideline approved by the UN General Assembly in 2007. The 2010 National Space Policy directs U.S. Government agencies to “continue to follow the United States Government Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices, consistent with mission requirements and cost effectiveness, in the procurement and operation of spacecraft, launch services, and the conduct of tests and experiments in space.” Notably, the National Space Policy requires that the head of the sponsoring department or agency approve any exceptions to the U.S. Government Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices, and notify the U.S. Secretary of State. NASA, the Department of Defense, and NOAA all carry out this guidance through internal regulatory mechanisms.

Details

In addition, those agencies that license commercial satellites also have requirements in their licensing procedures that are intended to limit the creation and impact of space debris, and these requirements are often complementary.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to offer some observations about why we and others invest so much in debris mitigation measures.

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The United States is proud of its pioneering role and leadership in orbital debris mitigation. In 1995, NASA became the first space agency in the world to issue a comprehensive set of orbital debris mitigation guidelines. NASA is a founding member of the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) and has played a leading role in discussions of space debris mitigation in the IADC, and in the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of COPUOS since the topic became a standing agenda item in 1994. In the IADC, NASA continues to play a lead role in researching and developing relevant technical standards – this work will continue to inform the STSC so that the U.N. Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines can be updated as appropriate.

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We are encouraged that a number of States and Intergovernmental Organizations have developed debris guidelines, and believe that the implementation by even more spacecraft operators is vital to the safety and long-term sustainability of space flight.

Resources

Notes

  1. Space Debris Mitigation Measures in the Digest of United States Practice in International Law

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