Speaker
Description
Growing congestion and increasing collision risk in low Earth orbit call for the development of a more circular space economy. Ensuring orbits can be safely used now and in the future requires the availability of in-orbit services to remove legacy derelict objects and better manage the end-of-life of satellites. The ability to service spacecraft, to refuel, repair, upgrade, repurpose, and ultimately recycle them not only offers the promise of a more sustainable space economy but also opens new possibilities and promises to reduce the cost and improve the reliability of space infrastructure.
There is increasing interest in the development of a stronger approach to space debris mitigation and remediation through policies and the implementation of debris removal missions. There are also several ongoing and upcoming missions trailblazing the development of in-orbit servicing. These public and private endeavours to develop in-space services, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) capabilities move us towards a more circular space economy. One such undertaking is ClearSpace’s ENCORE program, which will extend the life of geostationary (GEO) communications satellites.
A long-term vision of an interconnected and sustainable space ecosystem can only materialize if national regulatory frameworks enable and encourage transnational cooperation. The provision of services in orbit and the development of novel activities that bring us closer to a circular space economy will require (1) interoperable technical standards, (2) compatible regulatory frameworks, and (3) clear and predictable mission authorization pathways. Of paramount importance are the questions of responsibility and liability among actors engaged in joint servicing activities in space, which becomes critical when such actors are based in different jurisdictions. Governments and regulators have an important role to play in clarifying the rules and setting up the frameworks under which transnational in-orbit servicing activities can responsively and efficiently take place.
