Reports calls for greater safety and sustainability in space

The company has produced a report in partnership with AstroAnalytica that makes detailed recommendations on proposed standards to improve operations in space. These include actions to prevent collisions in orbit, to curb anti-satellite missile testing, improve the disposal of end-of-life satellites, introduce points-based penalties to enhance sustainability among satellite operators, and to take action over monopolistic practices among new industry entrants or governments.

In a statement, Rajeev Suri, chief executive of Inmarsat, said: “The time has come to address sustainability in space with a coherent plan to address the growing problem of debris, satellite congestion and the absence of agreed international standards in our industry.

“We need a new mindset and a new approach to environmentalism in space, which will become increasingly important amid industry plans for a massive increase in satellite launches into Low Earth Orbit that will increase the risk of collisions and potential atmospheric contamination.”

In its report, Inmarsat reveals that nearly 10,000 tonnes of satellite and rocket objects are currently in Earth’s orbit, including approximately 130 million pieces of space debris. These figures could increase as so-called mega-constellation projects prepare for launch, potentially increasing the number of LEO satellites from approximately 4,000 to 100,000 by the end of the decade.

The Space Sustainability Report highlights concerns about the mid-to-long term usability and sustainability of space, with knock-on implications for services provided by satellite operators for global connectivity and communications, including mobile telecoms networks, in-flight communications, defence applications and scientific research.

Introducing the report, Suri highlighted three primary areas for action on sustainability:

• Address the growing risk of catastrophic incidences in space stemming from space debris;
• Enhance understanding and actions to address environmental hazards in space, and acknowledge their potential impact on climate change; and
• Regulate and curb predatory practices carried out by some commercial and governmental satellite operators.

Among the hazards revealed by the report is the threat posed by anti-satellite (ASAT) missile testing, which has been carried out by a number of countries in recent years, resulting in space debris. The report calls on more nations to announce and implement ASAT testing moratoriums as soon as possible.

Recommendations to counter such debris and enhance overall sustainability in space include how to strengthen existing regulators as well as improve coordination among UN agencies, such as the G7 countries that have significant satellite interests, national governments, standards bodies and the space industry itself.

“Robust and bold steps are needed to arrest the deteriorating state of the space environment,” said Suri. “This report sets out measures and recommendations to ensure that space can be a domain that can sustain commercial, scientific, and national security activities for generations to come.”