Debris Mitigation
Controlling the growth of the orbital debris population is a high priority for NASA,
the United States, and the major space-faring nations of the world to preserve near-Earth
space for future generations. Mitigation measures can take the form of curtailing or
preventing the creation of new debris, designing satellites to withstand impacts by
small debris, and implementing operational procedures such as using orbital regimes
with less debris, adopting specific spacecraft attitudes, and even maneuvering to
avoid collisions with debris.
In 1995 NASA was the first space agency in the world to issue a comprehensive set of
orbital debris mitigation guidelines. Two years later, the U.S. Government developed
a set of Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices based on the NASA guidelines.
Other countries and organizations, including Japan, France, Russia, and the European
Space Agency (ESA), have followed suit with their own orbital debris mitigation guidelines.
In 2002, after a multi-year effort, the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee
(IADC), comprised of the space agencies of 10 countries as well as ESA, adopted a consensus
set of guidelines designed to mitigate the growth of the orbital debris population.
In February 2007, the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (STSC) of the United Nations'
Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) completed a multi-year work plan
with the adoption of a consensus set of space debris mitigation guidelines based on the
IADC guidelines. The guidelines were accepted by the COPUOS in June 2007 and endorsed
by the General Assembly of the United Nations in late 2007.
Additional Information
NASA Procedural Requirements for Limiting Orbital Debris – NPR 8715.6B
NPR 8715.6B became effective on 16 Feb 2017. It reflects 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.
NPR 8715.6B became effective on 16 Feb 2017. It reflects 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.
Process for Limiting Orbital Debris – NASA-STD-8719.14
This document serves as a companion to NPR 8715.6 and provides specific technical requirements for limiting orbital debris and methods to comply with the NASA requirements for limiting orbital debris generation. This standard helps ensure that spacecraft and launch vehicles meet acceptable standards for limiting orbital debris generation.
This document serves as a companion to NPR 8715.6 and provides specific technical requirements for limiting orbital debris and methods to comply with the NASA requirements for limiting orbital debris generation. This standard helps ensure that spacecraft and launch vehicles meet acceptable standards for limiting orbital debris generation.
Handbook for Limiting Orbital Debris – NASA-HDBK-8719.14
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 Technical Standard 8719.14. All NASA flight projects are now required to provide debris assessments and end-of-mission planning as a normal part of the project development.
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 Technical Standard 8719.14. All NASA flight projects are now required to provide debris assessments and end-of-mission planning as a normal part of the project development.
Debris Assessment Software & User's Guide
The Debris Assessment Software (DAS) has been developed to assist NASA programs in performing orbital debris assessments as described in NASA Technical Standard 8719.14, Process for Limiting Orbital Debris. The software follows the structure of the standard and provides the user with tools to ensure compliance with the requirements or to assess debris mitigation options to bring a program within requirements.
The Debris Assessment Software (DAS) has been developed to assist NASA programs in performing orbital debris assessments as described in NASA Technical Standard 8719.14, Process for Limiting Orbital Debris. The software follows the structure of the standard and provides the user with tools to ensure compliance with the requirements or to assess debris mitigation options to bring a program within requirements.
U.S. Government Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices
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The United States Government Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices (ODMSP) were established in 2001 to address the increase in orbital debris in the near-Earth space environment. The goal of the 2001 ODMSP was to limit the generation of new, long-lived debris by the control of debris released during normal operations, minimizing debris generated by accidental explosions, the selection of a safe flight profile and operational configuration to minimize accidental collisions, and postmission disposal of space structures. When the ODMSP was updated in 2019, it included improvements to the original objectives as well as clarification of and additional standard practices for certain classes of space operations. The 2019 ODMSP provides a reference to promote efficient and effective space safety practices for other domestic and international operators.
The United States Government Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices (ODMSP) were established in 2001 to address the increase in orbital debris in the near-Earth space environment. The goal of the 2001 ODMSP was to limit the generation of new, long-lived debris by the control of debris released during normal operations, minimizing debris generated by accidental explosions, the selection of a safe flight profile and operational configuration to minimize accidental collisions, and postmission disposal of space structures. When the ODMSP was updated in 2019, it included improvements to the original objectives as well as clarification of and additional standard practices for certain classes of space operations. The 2019 ODMSP provides a reference to promote efficient and effective space safety practices for other domestic and international operators.