Space Data Association Signs the Zero Debris Charter

(L-R) Holger Krag, Head of the Space Safety Programme Office at ESA, Rolf Densing, Director of Operations, ESA and Quentin Verspeisen, Space Safety Programme and Protect Accelerator Coordinator, ESA. Signing is Lorenzo Arona, SDA Standard Member Director and Head of Space - Projects and Products, Avanti Communications.

The Space Data Association (SDA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) have decided to strengthen their cooperation on space safety and sustainability. In the framework of this collaboration, the SDA has signed the Zero Debris Charter in Darmstadt, Germany on 28 November 2024. The Zero Debris Charter is a voluntary commitment that aims to establish a common vision and a set of principles and targets for reducing and preventing space debris.

Drafted in a full open and collaborative process facilitated by ESA’s Protect Accelerator, the Charter builds on the existing international guidelines and best practices, such as the UN Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines and the IADC guidelines. The Charter also goes beyond the current standards and proposes more ambitious and concrete actions outlined in five technical targets.

The SDA invites its Members to sign the Zero Debris Charter and support the drafting of the Zero Debris Technical Booklet, which intends to define how to reach Zero Debris by 2030.

In the framework of the current cooperation, the SDA and ESA will further explore new collaboration opportunities.

The SDA is an international organisation that brings together satellite operators to support the controlled, reliable and efficient sharing of data critical to the safety and integrity of the space environment. Formed in 2009, the SDA aims to improve flight safety through sharing of operational data and promotion of best practices for space use. Its participants include the world’s major satellite communications operators as well as remote sensing organisations.

Joe Chan, SDA Chairman, commented: “The SDA has long recognised the importance of managing space debris and its impact on space traffic operations. The Zero Debris Charter is a crucial step towards ensuring the sustainable use of space, aligning nations to deliver ambitious actions outlined in its five technical targets. The industry must not hesitate to facilitate the sustainable use of space.”

Quentin Verspieren, Space Safety Programme and Protect Accelerator Coordinator, added: “We believe that the Zero Debris Charter is a central contribution towards ensuring the safe and sustainable use of space for the benefit of humanity and future generations. We also believe that the Space Data Association, as a leading organisation in the field of space situational awareness and data sharing, has a vital role to play in promoting and advancing the Charter’s ambitious objectives. With the Zero Debris Community, we can make a difference and ensure that space remains safe and accessible for all.”

The signing of the Charter follows the announcement that Dr. Thomas Schildknecht, Chair of the ESA SSA Advisory Group, was presented with the T.S. Kelso Space Safety Award for his services to space flight safety.

The SDA runs a service to share contact details, pool operational data, validate them, and perform conjunction assessments. The SDA is also working to improve the accuracy and timeliness of collision warning notifications, as well as working with all interested entities to help define the next generation of Space Traffic Management systems and capabilities. To find out more about the SDA’s work or to become a participant, visit: https://www.space-data.org/sda/