Orbital Debris Technical Library

Orbital Debris Important Reference Documents

Technical Report on Space Debris (Adobe PDF 579 kb)
This is a report published by the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (STSC) of the United Nations on space debris in 1999. This report summarizes the reviews within the STSC between 1996 and 1998 on orbital debris measurements, modeling, risk assessments, and mitigation measures.

U.S. Government Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices (Adobe PDF 117 kb)
The United States Government has formally stated in this document its objectives and practices of limiting the amount of space debris. The four objectives are (1) control of debris released during normal operations, (2) minimizing debris generated by accidental explosions, (3) selection of safe flight profile and operational configuration, and (4) postmission disposal of space structures.

History of On-Orbit Satellite Fragmentations (Adobe PDF 2,251 kb)
The 14th edition of this document was published in 2008. This document summarizes all known satellite and upper stage fragmentations prior to 1 August 2007. Available information includes breakup date, breakup altitude, number of debris generated, and references to each event. Gabbard diagrams for many breakup clouds are also included in the document.

Orbital Debris: A Technical Assessment (available on-line through the National Research Council)
This is a document published by U.S. National Research Council in 1995. It examines the methods used to characterize the orbital debris environment and assesses the hazards a debris population poses to spacecraft. Recommendations to improve debris research and the protection of spacecraft and specific recommendations on methods to reduce future debris creation are also included in the document.

Interagency Report on Orbital Debris (Adobe PDF 7,456 kb)
This document was published by the National Science and Technology Council Committee on Transportation Research and Development in 1995. It contains an up-to-date portrait of the orbital debris measurement, modeling, and mitigation efforts and a set of recommendations outlining specific steps necessary to minimize the potential hazards posed by orbital debris.

IADC Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines (Adobe PDF 99 kb)
This document describes the guidelines adopted by the 11 members of the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) in 2002 and slightly revised in 2007. The guidelines were developed via consensus within the IADC, with an emphasis on cost effectiveness that can be considered during planning and design of spacecraft and launch vehicles in order to minimize or eliminate generation of debris during operations.

UN Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines (Adobe PDF 1,382.4 kb)
This document describes the guidelines adopted by the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (STSC) of the United Nations (UN) Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) in February 2007. The guidelines were developed via consensus within the STSC, and the full COPUOS endorsed the guidelines in June 2007, followed by General Assembly endorsement later in 2007. These guidelines are consistent with the U.S. Government Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices and the IADC Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines.

NASA Procedural Requirements for Limiting Orbital Debris - NPR 8715_006A (Adobe PDF 189 kb)
These NASA requirements became effective in August 2007 and reflect NASA's policy to limit future orbital debris generation. The applicability, authority and references of the requirements and the responsibility within NASA organizations are all clearly stated in the document.

NASA Standard 8719.14A (Adobe PDF 445 kb)
NASA has adopted a policy to control the generation of orbital debris in NASA Procedural Requirements 8715.6A and has implemented this policy in NASA Standard 8719.14A. All NASA flight projects are now required to provide debris assessments and end-of-mission planning as a normal part of the project development.

Handbook for Limiting Orbital Debris � NASA-HDBK 8719.14
This NASA-HDBK serves as a companion to NASA Procedural Requirements (NPR) 8715.6A, NASA Procedural Requirements for Limiting Orbital Debris and NASA-STD 8719.14A, Process for Limiting Orbital Debris and contains the background and reference materials to aid in understanding the foundation and science for predicting and limiting orbital debris.