Novaspace’s Post

 📣Yesterday IADC published the latest updates on its Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines. The IADC guidelines demonstrate a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach to mitigating collision risks in the increasingly complex space environment. By addressing the issue from multiple angles, the Committee recognizes that there is no single solution. What is the key focus of the new additions? Large Constellations. 👉 The importance of constellation management, acknowledging the potential for collisions even among closely coordinated spacecraft. 👉The risk of inter-plane conjunctions: the point where orbital planes intersect, creating higher probabilities of collisions. 👉 The need to maintain safe distances from other spacecraft, particularly in highly utilized orbits, where the density of objects is already high. 👉 The recommendation to use less congested orbits for less reliable spacecraft and demonstrators 👉 The emphasis on minimizing cumulative risk from re-entries of constellation components. Unfamiliar with the IADC Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines? They are a set of best practices for minimizing space debris. These guidelines address key areas such as limiting debris released during normal operations, preventing on-orbit break-ups and collisions, and ensuring proper post-mission disposal of spacecraft. Detailed explanations and implementation guidance can be found in the document below👇. We know very well staying compliant can be complicated. If you want to keep it simple and with minimal overhead, you can reach out to our Soteria team for a check 👉 contact@okapiorbits.com #SpaceDebris #IADC #DebrisMigitation #SpaceSustainability #SpaceIndustry #SpaceOperations

ON THE WAY TO MAKE SPACE CLEANER AND MORE SUSTAINABLE 🌌   Next year, on February 17–19, there will be a #hackathon about finding #solutions to the growing #challenge of space debris at Nord University in Bodø, Norway. 🛰️ Space debris, or “space junk,” refers to defunct satellites, discarded rocket stages, and fragments from collisions or explosions orbiting Earth. As the number of these debris items increases, the risk to operational satellites, human space missions, and the International Space Station (ISS) also rises. To ensure the sustainability of space for future generations, innovative solutions are needed to mitigate, manage, and reduce space debris. ❕ An information webinar will be held on November 21, 2024. 👉 Read more and sign up for the event here: https://lnkd.in/djseT5-x Image credit: ESA #sustainability #space #debris #spacejunk #norway

The latest launch of two European Navigation satellites (the Galileo system) were launched by SpX yesterday. Initially planned for a launch with Soyuz from CSG in Kourou this became impossible after Feb 2022. Launching with SpX was the best alternative. The same holds for EarthCare, soon to be launched. Fingers crossed for that one. Needless to say I am eagerly looking forward to the arrival of Ariane 6. ****************************************************************** extract from spaceflightnow.com https://lnkd.in/dkc992Ew The Galileo satellite constellation is part of Europe’s global navigation satellite system (GNSS). It’s similar to others operating around the world, the most prevalent of which is the United States’ Global Positioning System (GPS). Galileo is been in operation since December 2016 and currently consists of 28 satellites, which orbit the Earth at 23,000 km. According to the European Union Agency for Space Programme’s (EUSPA) GNSS Service Centre (GSC), eight out of the 28 are listed as either “not usable” or “not available.” The pair that launched on Saturday will support the current constellation and offer supplementary services in the event another satellite stops working as intended. Historically, all of the satellites have launched on either Russian Soyuz rockets or the Ariane 5, but neither are an option any more. The European Space Agency (ESA) stopped using Soyuz as a launch vehicle following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and the final Ariane 5 rocket launched in July 2023.

Last week at the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC), #ISRO announced the Debris Free Space Missions (DFSM) initiative with an aim to ensure that all Indian space missions are free of debris by 2030. Both government and non-government space actors in India will adhere to these guidelines and prioritize the long-term sustainability of outer space. The following steps are planned to be taken to effectively execute this initiative: [1] Preventing the generation of debris during satellite and launch vehicle operations and disposal phases. [2] Avoiding on-orbit collisions and break-ups through thorough failure mode studies and reliable mission design. [3] Complying with post-mission disposal guidelines for spent orbital stages and satellites. [4] Incorporating safety measures for human spaceflight and ensuring the trackability and maneuverability of all satellites. [5] Monitoring and sharing data at national and international levels for safe and sustainable space operations. Even though the #Debris #Free #Space #Missions initiative will be implemented starting in 2025, ISRO has already demonstrated its commitment towards this vision through the successful de-orbiting of #MeghaTropiques in March 2023 and #PSLV #POEM Orbital Platform in March 2024. The recent establishment of Asia’s first dedicated command and control centre for #Space #Situational #Awareness (SSA) in #Bengaluru by Digantara is also a positive step towards achieving #DFSM. Through this initiative, India aims to become a leading advocate for safe, secure, and sustainable space activities, aligning with the theme of global collaboration for a safe and preserved outer space for future generations. The image below shows the successful de-orbiting of PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-3 (POEM-3) in March this year, accomplishing a zero orbital debris mission for PSLV. The impact point was near Point Nemo which is the the farthest point from any landmass in the ocean. ISRO's press release and more details on the other missions including information on Point Nemo is linked in the comments. ISRO - Indian Space Research Organization

✨ SKYNET-1A: The Mysterious Satellite from 1969 That’s Still Making Waves in Space Imagine a satellite launched in 1969 still capturing the attention of space experts today. Meet SKYNET-1A, the #UK’s oldest military satellite, which has baffled scientists with an unexpected journey across the skies. Originally designed for #British military communications over eastern #Africa, SKYNET-1A once connected far-off regions like Singapore. Its mission was revolutionary, but after completing its service, it was expected to retire quietly into a graveyard orbit. However, in the late 1970s, something unusual happened—SKYNET-1A was deliberately moved to an orbit over the Americas, where it remains, approximately 36,000 km above Earth. Why does this matter now? SKYNET-1A’s current location at 105 degrees west places it in a “gravity well,” leading to erratic movements that bring it dangerously close to operational satellites. This poses significant risks in an increasingly congested space environment. Renowned space consultant Dr. Stuart Eves highlights the issue: “Whoever did move SKYNET-1A did us few favours. It’s now in a position that’s regularly close to other satellites, and the risk of collision is higher.” Yet, despite extensive efforts to uncover the satellite’s history, the reason behind its move remains a mystery. Documents indicate that control shifted back to the #UnitedStates during that time, but no clear explanation has surfaced. Today, the UK Ministry of Defence keeps a close watch on SKYNET-1A’s orbit and issues warnings to satellite operators about potential close encounters. But as space becomes more crowded, the presence of inactive satellites like SKYNET-1A heightens the urgency for active space debris management. The takeaway? Even satellites from decades past can become hazards in today’s space operations. Addressing this challenge with proactive debris removal strategies is crucial to ensuring safe and sustainable space exploration. #DrStuartEves #UKMinistryofDefence #PhilcoFord #USAirForce

🌍🚀✨ ASAT Weapons: A Growing Threat to Space Sustainability As space becomes increasingly commercialized and essential for global infrastructure, the reckless use of Anti-Satellite (ASAT) weapons is putting critical space assets at risk. These destructive tests generate thousands of debris fragments, endangering satellites, space stations, and future missions. 📡 The Alarming Reality: 🔹 ASAT tests create long-lived space debris, traveling at 29,000 km/h, posing a direct collision risk to operational satellites. 🔹 A single ASAT test can generate thousands of debris pieces, spreading uncontrollably across orbits. 🔹 The International Space Station (ISS) has already conducted 29 debris avoidance maneuvers since 1999, highlighting the real dangers in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Why This Matters for Space Sustainability 💥 Hinders the usability of orbits, making spaceflight riskier. 🛰️ Increases the cost of space operations, forcing companies to spend more on debris mitigation. ⚠️ Threatens global communications, Earth observation, and scientific research—which rely on secure and sustainable orbits. A Call for Global Action 🌍 The U.S. and several countries have pledged to ban destructive ASAT tests, but more international cooperation is needed to establish binding regulations that protect our shared orbital environment. 👇

In the vast expanse of space, even a tiny speck can tell a monumental story. With Helix, our #SpaceSurveillance services turn these specks into reliable data. 🌍🛰️ Such a story unfolded this August when the JUICE probe performed a groundbreaking double Moon–Earth gravitational assist manoeuvre on its journey to the Jovian system – a first of its kind. But there’s more for the history books: Since its launch aboard the penultimate Ariane 5, the Helix network has been tracking the probe and managed to detect it at a record distance of around 500,000 km from Earth! Capturing such a small ‘white spot’ that resembles a star is incredibly complex. However, thanks to the precise pointing of our optical stations and sophisticated image processing algorithms developed in-house by our #SpaceEnablers, the JUICE spacecraft was located exactly where it was expected to be. These algorithms effectively distinguish stars from other objects, such as satellites or spacecraft, and determine their exact positions relative to the stars. This significant observation demonstrates the capability of the Helix network to detect and track objects in a wide range of orbits, from low Earth orbit (LEO) to geostationary orbit (GEO) and cis-lunar orbits, including crewed missions to the Moon. Helix provides high-precision day and night positioning and orbit determination data as well as analysis of space objects in a wide range of orbits. The service is ideally suited to the needs of both civil and military #Satellite operators, for surveillance, tracking and collision warnings. It enables these operators to protect their satellites against all types of risks. #WorkInSpace #SpaceIndustry

Happy #StarWarsDay!   Did you know that we are monitoring #SpaceDebris as part of our #SpaceDomainAwareness mission?   The joint DRDC and Canadian Space Agency | Agence spatiale canadienne Near Earth Object Surveillance Satellite (NEOSSat) was the world's first 24/7 space telescope dedicated to detecting and tracking asteroids, satellites, and the growing concern of space debris.   Circling Earth every 100 minutes, Canada’s NEOSSat is used by scientists to characterize Earth-orbiting space objects, including space debris which can travel at 7 to 8 km/s and can severely hamper space missions. NEOSSat can also track objects in orbits approaching Earth’s moon!    And we’re building new capabilities with the Redwing space domain awareness microsatellite project, which will be designed, built, and operated in Canada. To help reduce future risks to Canada’s space infrastructure from space debris or human-caused interference, the Redwing microsatellite will monitor objects in congested orbits and will be able to transmit tracking data from anywhere in its orbit. Redwing will also be able to take images of nearby space objects and will be able to maneuver itself to avoid space debris with its ion thrusters. Redwing is our version of an X-Wing.   #DefenceScience #MayTheFourthBeWithYou

Europe's Vega-C rocket has successfully returned to space, marking its first launch since a failed mission two years ago. The rocket lifted off from French Guiana, carrying the Sentinel-1C satellite for the EU's Copernicus Earth observation program. This mission aims to enhance radar imagery for environmental monitoring. The Vega-C, an upgraded version of the original Vega rocket, can transport over two tonnes of payload and is designed to be more cost-effective. The rocket was grounded for two years following a failure during its second mission, which resulted in the loss of two satellites due to a motor anomaly. With the ongoing geopolitical tensions and reliance on Russian launch vehicles halted, the Vega-C is expected to play a crucial role in maintaining Europe's access to space. The European Space Agency plans four additional launches with the Vega-C in 2025 and five more in 2026. #VegaC #EuropeanRocketVegaC #CopernicusEarthObservationProgramme #SpaceExploration #EUSpaceProgramme

#Space - Mitigating the risks of space debris in the UK Space plays an increasingly crucial role in our daily lives, and the issues of space debris and a greater need for sustainability are looming large. Imagine a scenario where everyday services like TV, navigation, weather forecasting, and online banking are disrupted due to a satellite collision. This is a rising concern and why the UK government is taking bold steps to mitigate the risks associated with space debris by investing in national capabilities and international cooperation. https://lnkd.in/dUds5HkB #space #spacedebris #esa #nasa #spaceeconomy #spacecirculareconomy