Speakers
Description
Astroscale has three pillars to achieve the safe and sustainable development of space for the benefit of future generations: business case, policy, and technology. In working towards a sustainable future, we need to ensure all three of these areas are addressed and understand the impacts changes to one has on the other. This presentation will summarise the recent global efforts made towards sustainable practices, both from a regulatory and private actor perspective, and will focus on the impact that key guidelines and requirements will have on future commercial missions.
Great strides have been taken globally towards improving sustainability in space and safeguarding our future. ESA’s Zero Debris approach resulted in a comprehensive set of Space Debris Mitigation Requirements and facilitated the creation of the ambitious Zero Debris Charter. The Space Debris Mitigation Requirements will apply to all future ESA missions and includes novel concepts, such as design for removal. The Zero Debris Charter, drafted by key actors in the space sector, highlights what the community want to work towards by 2030. While the general movement towards incentivising sustainable practices is positive, it is important to review this new guidance through a commercial lens and ensure we are not restricting innovative or novel missions, which are often accompanied by a higher risk factor.
The UK Government has also called for a regulatory sandbox in their Space Industrial Plan (2024) to develop the UK’s core competencies in licencing complex, close-proximity operation missions, and to help shape global design standards and regulations. As part of this presentation, we will share how industry and regulatory bodies in the UK have been working closely together, and the positive impact this has on resulting guidance and processes.
