Date: 19 November 2025

Location: Space Tech Expo, Bremen

The Zero Debris Community continues to grow in reach, commitment, and global visibility—most recently through a dedicated Zero Debris signature event co-organised and hosted by the IEEC at the Space Tech Expo 2025. This milestone moment once again showcased how the space sector is uniting around a shared ambition: achieving space sustainability by 2030.

At the heart of the Charter – and of the Zero Debris initiative – lies a clear principle: ESA acts as the initiator and facilitator, but the long-term success of the Zero Debris efforts depends on the leadership, engagement, and ownership of the community itself. Together, signatories commit to improving space sustainability practices, sharing knowledge, and demonstrating transparent, responsible behaviour across the entire lifecycle of space missions.

IEEC: A Driving Force Behind the Event

Only a month after Spain became the 21st state to sign the Zero Debris Charter and join the Zero Debris Community, the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC) — a leading research institute specialising in space science, astrophysics, and space engineering — proposed to host and co-organise a Zero Debris signature ceremony.

As one of the earliest members of the Zero Debris Community, the IEEC has proven to be not only a strong supporter but also a proactive contributor to the movement, exemplifying how community members can take initiative and lead meaningful activities.

A Signature Moment at Space Tech Expo 2025

Hosted at the Catalan Pavilion, the event brought together no less than 17 organisations, from launch and space transportation companies (Arkadia Aerospace) to satellite operators (Sateliot, Quantum Galactics), including propulsion and in-orbit technology providers (IENAI Space), space-engineering and systems companies (GTD, C3S), as well as research institutions and associations (Fraunhofer Aviation & Space, EASTRO).

The programme included:

  • Welcome speeches by IEEC representative Josep Colomé Ferrer, ESA representative Holger Krag (Head of ESA’s Space Safety Office), and Spanish Space Agency (AEE) representative Carlos García Sacristán.
  • The signing session, during which each signatory signed individually.
  • Individual photographs during the signing, followed by a group photograph.
  • Closing remarks and an informal networking session hosted by the IEEC.

The atmosphere was one of pride, motivation, and shared purpose, an inspiring representation of a sector visibly aligning around sustainability.

Why This Event Matters

This signature event stands out for several reasons:

1.Proof of Continuous Growth

With each new member, the Zero Debris Community grows in strength and diversity, enhancing its collective capacity for innovation, collaboration, and progress towards achieving the Zero Debris targets by 2030. It also demonstrates that the global space sector is increasingly aware of the urgency and importance of addressing the Zero Debris challenges. 

2.Validation of the Zero Debris Charter’s Relevance

The broad adoption of the Zero Debris Charter — now with more than 200 signatories — both geographically (over 30 countries across all continents) and across all categories of organisations (from NGOs and public bodies to SMEs, major industrial players, academia, and research institutes) demonstrates that the initiative is a genuine success, fully aligned with the space sector’s collective ambition to address the Zero Debris challenge. 

3.A Community That Self-Organises

Perhaps most importantly, the event exemplifies how the Zero Debris Community is evolving into a self-driven, active, collaborative ecosystem. While ESA launched and continues to facilitate the Zero Debris efforts – community members are increasingly taking ownership by organising events, sharing best practices, and mobilising national and regional actors. 

This mirrors the example already set by Estonia, which hosted an independent signing ceremony at the Space Defined Software Conference in 2024.  

A Strong Signal for the Future of Space Sustainability 

The Space Tech Expo 2025 signature event was more than a ceremony. It was a statement: the Zero Debris Community is maturing, expanding, and strengthening its collective voice. As more organisations stand behind the Zero Debris ambition, the movement gains the critical mass needed to ensure a sustainable future in space—together.