Promote<\/strong><\/p>\nIt is easy to forget the sheer quantity of space debris flying over our heads daily. The sky is a collage of debris, and if not controlled, there is a very real danger that the orbital region will be degraded or even denied to us completely. Though space is vast, the usable area in which we can operate satellites is relatively small and contained. Collisions result in further collisions, scattering debris across the space environment until it is wholly inaccessible \u2013 Kessler syndrome.<\/p>\n
As space debris increases, so too does the risk it may pose. More and more debris is falling back to Earth. While most fall in the ocean, some do not, and the threat of human casualties is only growing. In 2022, Spanish airspace was shut for days while a rocket body fell, for fear it could impact aircraft, a decision that cost millions of euros.<\/p>\n
Consider the seamless integration of space services into everyday life. From smartphones to navigation, financial transactions to weather forecasting, the loss of our space capabilities would be felt universally. Promotion and raising awareness around this subject is, therefore, vital. The growing danger of space debris is not limited to the space community, and we must do what we can to protect that environment before it is lost to us.<\/p>\n
With its National Space Strategy, the UK Space Agency aspires to be amongst world leaders in advocating for responsible space. Recently, the whole Agency has been restructured to include space sustainability as one of its eight key priorities. As a result, an increased budget and dedicated resources have been directed to the new Space Sustainability department, aimed at tackling and raising awareness of the growing issues of sustainability in the space environment.<\/p>\n
How is the UK working to regulate the space industry?<\/h3>\n As part of the \u2018prevent\u2019 branch of the space sustainability strategy, the Agency is dedicated to sustainable regulation, ensuring all UK-registered entities intending to launch or operate a spacecraft have the appropriate plans and policies in place to align with sustainability goals.<\/p>\n
Part of this effort is the development of space sustainability standards. The UK Government is not an anchor customer for space operations \u2013 it does not have its own fleet of satellites. Instead, the commercial sector takes the lead in building and operating satellites that the UK Civil Aviation Authority regulates, with the Agency working to embed sustainability into business practices.<\/p>\n
By supporting the Earth and Sustainability Initiative, the Agency hopes to establish a set of British standards for sustainability in space operations that can hopefully extend to international standards, aiming to address questions relating to rendezvous and proximity operations, launch, and deorbit, among others. This is currently underway, with funding provided to research and catalyse the implementation of nine or ten standards for the industry. Work developing guidance around the first two standards is nearly complete and will be followed by the others in the coming months and years. Increased regulation will not only progress space sustainability but will also benefit the industry as independent certification of sustainable co-operation could lead to cheaper insurance or easier licensing.<\/p>\n
The Astra Carta, an initiative launched in 2023 and and led by the Sustainable Markets Initiative as a result of His Majesty the King\u2019s vision for space sustainability, looks to ensure that all of humanity\u2019s endeavours off-planet \u2013 whether that be low Earth orbit, lunar, or deep space exploration \u2013 are sustainable. This is primarily targeted at industry to ensure sustainable business models are carefully planned and avoid polluting other planets with waste like we have in our oceans. Signing up for the initiative grants a business the Astra Carta seal of approval, indicating that an organisation is a trusted sustainable operator that considers space sustainability at the heart of its business practices.<\/p>\n
How is the UK Space Agency addressing the issue of energy? What role could renewable energy play in future space missions?<\/h3>\n There is a range of activity in this sector, but it is still in the early stages of development. The UK Space Agency does not focus on terrestrial energy consumption, with our work directed at the energy consumption of a launch supply chain and alternative energy sources such as space-based solar power. We are collaborating with the European Space Agency (ESA) to realise space-based solar power, considering the feasibility of necessary factors like square kilometre footage, costs for construction and operation, the technologies required, and the environmental consequences of such an endeavour.<\/p>\n
The Space Sustainability team is exploring the potential of in-orbit servicing and manufacturing. This aims to operate satellites autonomously and use them as robotic assembly vehicles for manufacturing components and refuelling and repairing satellites in space. Remote technology such as this is essential for constructing a space-based solar power station, but the technology is still in development.<\/p>\n\u00a9 shutterstock\/Sergey Nivens<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe debris removal mission will be an important step in the journey towards space-based solar power. If successful, the remote technologies and refuelling concept can be de-risked and employed for other space-based assemblies.<\/p>\n
How are you collaborating with international space agencies on sustainability issues?<\/h3>\n Space does not respect national boundaries, so collaboration is key to ensuring sustainable space operations. Despite our national initiatives and intentions to operate responsibly, the international community must work together to tackle the growing problem of space debris. Working closely with the ESA and UN is vital in the UK Space Agency\u2019s prevention efforts. Recently, the ESA has launched its Zero Debris Charter, with which all ESA missions must comply going forward.<\/p>\n
The UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) \u2013 of which the UK Space Agency is a member \u2013 are collaborating to establish and promote global space sustainability guidelines. Through this, the UK Space Agency has been consulting with numerous agencies worldwide closely and often on potential long-term goals and regulations to embed the outputs into national regulation, licensing practices, and mission operations.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the Agency conducts a number of bilateral initiatives and is currently looking to work with overseas partners on atmospheric ablation. Satellites are currently disposed of by deorbiting them into the upper atmosphere, where they burn up to atoms. However, it is not known whether this process has a negative effect on the upper atmosphere. While any harmful effects may currently be negligible with only 8,000 satellites in orbit, it is essential to be prepared for the 50,000 expected by 2030.<\/p>\n
It is vital that we take action early to avoid a repeat of past mistakes. Globally, we are now dealing with the consequences of delayed actions and reactions to emissions and climate change challenges. By collaborating with the ESA and the US, the UK Space Agency seeks to be more proactive, enhancing research into this area and working with academics globally to provide a more definitive answer to this potential problem and its consequences before becoming a larger issue.<\/p>\n
Following COP28 and the announcement of the UK-led climate satellite contracts, can you expand on the TRUTHs mission, your involvement, and its significance?<\/h3>\n The TRUTHs mission hopes to improve the accuracy of climate measurements tenfold. It is an ESA mission, largely led by the UK and with the Agency as the largest sponsor. TRUTHs will increase fidelity and accuracy in calibrating measurements, enabling faster and more informed decisions to improve climate models and policy. The dangers posed by climate change are recognised globally, and quick decision-making ratified with accurate and timely data is going to be crucial for tackling these issues.<\/p>\n
Space sustainability is vital for the future of space exploration<\/h3>\n The UK Space Agency space debris removal mission is an incredible achievement for the organisation, marking its first NASA equivalent mission. Previously, the missions have been delivered by others while the Agency contributed the science or instruments. This mission, led by two UK consortia, Astroscale and Clearspace, and backed by an enormous range of UK subcontractors, will be the first entirely led by the UK Space Agency. We are now finishing the preliminary design spacecraft phase, with hopes to take that into a finalised design and build phase for launch in 2026 or early 2027.<\/p>\n
There is a reason the Agency has spent \u00a35m purely on the design studies for the national active debris removal mission. Space sustainability is worthy of significant time and resources. It is vital for the future of space exploration and to support the growing in-orbit infrastructure. Globally, we must be proactive to assess and avoid problems before they grow. With several projects and collaborations underway, the Agency is dedicated to shaping a regulated and sustainable space ecosystem that unlocks the benefits that space offers, and minimises damage \u2013 watch this space for more.<\/p>\n
Please note, this article will also appear in the seventeenth edition of our\u00a0quarterly publication<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Learn more about the issue of debris in space and what can be done to improve sustainability measures to combat it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":44809,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[771],"tags":[24432,24229,24546],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Empty space: Clearing the space around Earth of space debris<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n