The European Space Agency (ESA) has embarked on an ambitious initiative known as the Zero Debris approach, aiming to completely halt the creation of debris in valuable orbits by 2030. This initiative responds to the significant degradation of the Low-Earth Orbit environment and the exponential growth of space debris, which poses a threat to future space operations.
ESA’s Zero Debris approach is built on a collaborative effort involving various ESA programs and experts from industry, governmental agencies, and academia. A study carried out in Autumn 2022 at ESA’s Concurrent Design Facility (CDF) set forth objectives to provide an overview of the current situation, define the evolution of Space Debris Policy, and propose a roadmap and phase-in schedule for achieving Zero Debris by 2030.
Key recommendations to reach this goal include mandatory Active Debris Removal services for missions with a significant collision probability, clearance of orbital regions post-mission, increasing the resilience of onboard systems, enhancing collision avoidance measures, and a clear decision-making process based on updated data. The Clean Space initiative within ESA is also developing technologies to ensure satellites can end their missions without contributing to debris, such as through deorbiting or reorbiting. The next steps involve further studies and technical development to finalize the recommendations and secure the necessary technologies and standards by 2030.
ESA’s Zero Debris Charter is a separate yet related document that sets out high-level guiding principles and specific targets for achieving Zero Debris by 2030. Formulated with contributions from over 40 space actors, it serves as a community-driven initiative that brings together a diverse range of stakeholders committed to advancing space safety and sustainability. The Charter was co-developed with significant input from the global space community and is open for any entity with a strong commitment to space safety and sustainability to sign and join the Zero Debris Community. .
The Zero Debris Charter was publicly announced at the Paris Air Show in June 2023 by ESA’s Director General and senior executives from major aerospace companies. This endorsement highlights the Charter’s role in shaping a global consensus on space sustainability.
The ESA Zero Debris approach and the Zero Debris Charter represent a collective European commitment to space sustainability, with the goal of no more debris being left in orbit by 2030. They reflect a significant shift in space mission design, operation, and collaboration, emphasizing the need for proactive debris mitigation and remediation efforts on a global scale.
