ESA is inviting the European space sector to join the Zero Debris Concurrent Design Facility study. This study aims to define recommendations for the applicability and implementation of the Zero Debris approach on future ESA projects, understand the current state-of-the-art in Europe, and propose a strategy to reach the required technical maturity by 2030.  Registration details can be found at the bottom of this article. 

The traffic in valuable Earth orbits is and will continue to increase exponentially, with more satellites to be launched in the next three years than in the past six decades. Despite internationally recognised space debris mitigation guidelines, technical standards, and national space regulations, the disposal of space systems from protected regions and the prevention of in-orbit break-ups still have a low success rate.  

This calls for the need for improving End-of-Life management of missions flying in Earth orbits of high interest .  

ESA aims to act as a role model driving space sustainability forward, and the DG is proposing – for ESA missions – a Zero Debris approach  to be implemented by 2030.  Such a Zero Debris approach would entail a sustainable strategy for space operations in valuable Earth orbits (namely the LEO and GEO protected regions) by:  

  • boosting the rate of successful disposals,  
  • preventing break-up events,  
  • executing removal in case of failed disposal. 

To implement this Zero Debris approach, ESA is preparing a transversal action structured around four main pillars:  

The definition and implementation of such approach require the broad involvement of the concerned ESA programmes, as well as the technical coordination with the European space industry. Furthermore, ESA is willing to collaborate and support other institutional and commercial space operators willing to adopt similar approaches.

The schedule of the foreseen study will be the following.

Session Date Time 
Kick-off 13 September 13:00-17:00 
Session 2 20 September 14:00-18:00 
Session 3 27 September 14:00-18:00 
Session 4 4 October 14:00-18:00 
Final presentation 25 October 9:30-16:30 

A more detailed schedule, including the topics covered in each session, will be shared at a later stage. 

How to register

The sessions will be open to the remote attendance of internal and external professionals from the European space sector, provided their previous registration.  
These attendees will be able to follow the sessions and to interact through written questions, surveys and other interactive elements. Dedicated presentations from them may also take place if deemed of interest for the study.  

Registration is free of charge. Participation is open to entities from ESA Member States, Cooperating States and Associate States. 

You can register through the following link: https://forms.gle/j2NBS3fZ7VS5bE6s5 

The deadline to register to this CDF study is Sunday 11 September 2022.

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