[Lex Computer & Tech Group/LCTG] Space Junk

Fri May 16 11:14:47 PDT 2025

A recent MIT News highlights a recent review paper [open access] on a
rating system for new space [potential debris]

[image: Elsevier] <https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/acta-astronautica>
Acta Astronautica <https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/acta-astronautica>
Volume 232
<https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/acta-astronautica/vol/232/suppl/C>, July
2025, Pages 622-632
[image: Acta Astronautica]
<https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/acta-astronautica/vol/232/suppl/C>
Space sustainability rating: Designing a composite indicator to incentivize
satellite operators to pursue long-term sustainability of the space
environment
Author links open overlay panelMinoo Rathnasabapathy a, Francesca Letizia b
, Stijn Lemmens b, Moriba Jah c, Simon Potter d, Nikolai Khlystov e, Kristi
Acuff a, Miles Lifson f, Scott Dorrington a, Sina Es haghi a, Emmanuelle
David g, Jean-Paul Kneib g, Danielle Wood aaMassachusetts Institute of
Technology (MIT) Media Lab, Cambridge, MA, 02139, United StatesbEuropean
Space Agency, Keplerlaan 1, 2201, AZ, Noordwijk, the NetherlandscDepartment
of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, The University of Texas
at Austin, 201 E 24th St, Room 3.446, Austin, TX, 78712, United
StatesdBryceTech,
One Ground Floor 3 London Square, Cross Lanes, Guildford, Surrey, England,
United KingdomeWorld Economic Forum, Rte de la Capite 91/93, 1223, Cologny,
SwitzerlandfThe Aerospace Corporation, 2011 Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA,
22202, United StatesgÉcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
eSpace, Rte Cantonale, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland

Received 27 March 2025, Accepted 28 March 2025, Available online 3 April
2025, Version of Record 10 April 2025.

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2025.03.034Get rights and content
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Under a Creative Commons license
<http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/>
Open access
Highlights

   - •
   The growing number of human-made space objects increases collision and
   debris risks.
   - SSR
   <https://pdf.sciencedirectassets.com/271447/1-s2.0-S0094576525X2004X/1-s2.0-S0094576525001900/main.pdf?X-Amz-Security-Token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEJL%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2FwEaCXVzLWVhc3QtMSJHMEUCIAsJ%2BapqvYrH5yufUAJ494Bx%2FqZiCAd%2Fi8bV9PRjVdn0AiEA8SIZ%2F2hCO1Eo7kyriOyf0kKsNzqfPOQcd1u429%2FYYDwqsgUISxAFGgwwNTkwMDM1NDY4NjUiDHRN7xHsquXTXyMxqiqPBUtVIWZ6%2F3qtEDh%2F8661b%2FCWIwW7csp%2FXprLuWzq8JtJeeV%2B%2F2qQaCT6qzGpij3tM8qtil2lvEVOIW0yqXfL2C5NW8PYkiutNw7t6oNsXPyrt7LgRQ4Swpelj2Kwb%2FvBnEdhW3FpNRw61XsWzZbaWroHtwUmV4ZIKjHv%2FJrp0aWKEjWHohwHf69g7a9CcFh0GthTGwp%2BxKaL0NAUIepMDGTEzYpa%2Blpc1%2BgvuCcG6nWjLxO1DZb91TmYis36%2Frt2cGS%2BI89OcqQ7otR%2FEW3nlQjZXoW%2BvPam9m28kSWdHck4qLM9IOzin79yMsdkEf5RbDIV2HB1AljmpQ4Tn%2F1fvvKSHJYDgINTgF%2FfXzaaIWml0frfht76xY4Jcj9ijHXJhExmdj0PP2Ho2sp6vOWy5EYotoD6rMsxBeAKAuShRQCgY5rYYqVNdf5SNeD8BC%2FckAfTOQ74viWn2wYvtH3KmUSGESYml5SBrerBMpyykFdIwHaksbKkH%2BdQElNLzLaxOK3TTSwXtFKVHVY4vkdrYabVnmYvNaul4yqQOpQoXu42g8yauGzDuJBfJSyYkCINuiRWDef%2B3lujmyotYio5TqHhi5Ti1LGN%2Fbk1%2ByvtDEmUnAOHYk6mL0tFYboznCLhPyODHRnEokLrkGgVuJ0K2HHzHyzNnDgNNKkNeu4iyaqsSUCw0jL9HHTWV6dOu1B9V%2BPSBxj7BTpZoMJU5V7nwERVP4kqIRRQMYsN%2Bfuqo347POvk4gGq%2FUuUqvg95jyHSkX0fBhBwq1j6GZ2ZS5r663StBHUt9qUQDSi5f8NzS7m1ABwcZPjeAXbl%2Fu9dfAO%2B4riCVesKJPucXXvZiMfww6e%2FQgGct7WunrQ9bTJkK0wmvWdwQY6sQGHOpYVikCwNH2b46xX2TuHn2IpdNakIwJEbtofkFi8EwO%2FmVeWTLJhDbcPPpuCi6T43rKIDOh3NZDrJPC1Viv%2FAcCPnhk9VxKb309ouSUrYpVMR9r7p259ByjYsnHilYlXMybvPnKoXRDRzuvS9Lcaw6om9OX2OlnsPKUI%2BpSCTO%2FZ1o6Tlk4OY03DyNPbAY30Dn5nJxnxlf4Qy3aLUv6GmZKE2tRYkl3srXCZlFaFrvs%3D&X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Date=20250516T180821Z&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Expires=300&X-Amz-Credential=ASIAQ3PHCVTYZPEIFDG4%2F20250516%2Fus-east-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Signature=6388579bdeef9fdcd1100e03a78dfdd7d06a9a8f47f3eebddc650d90e88ef4cc&hash=386d3f2366b4dc38be1671494c6f58127625cc0a3812f2cb1f116600f81194f9&host=68042c943591013ac2b2430a89b270f6af2c76d8dfd086a07176afe7c76c2c61&pii=S0094576525001900&tid=spdf-fe82b733-594c-4daf-afe7-641b4ba6f555&sid=eac7b1fb89107140ce5b17a5695d0d262b8egxrqa&type=client&tsoh=d3d3LnNjaWVuY2VkaXJlY3QuY29t&rh=d3d3LnNjaWVuY2VkaXJlY3QuY29t&ua=0f155b5152040652065b51&rr=940cd1e41a4d9062&cc=us>
   •
   Operators should be incentivized to follow guidelines and limit space
   debris.
   - •
   Actions can be taken to reduce space debris in each phase of a space
   mission.
   - •
   Space Sustainability Rating, a non-profit, evaluates mission debris
   creation risks.
   - •
   SSR evaluates missions in six areas that measure the impact on the space
   environment.

Abstract
The rapid growth in satellite deployments, particularly with the emergence
of large constellations, has amplified concerns over the sustainability of
the orbital environment. Space mission operators can utilize different
mechanisms during the design and operation of their missions to adhere to
space sustainability best practices. This paper presents the Space
Sustainability Rating (SSR), a novel initiative developed to incentivize
satellite operators to adopt sustainable practices throughout mission
lifecycles, and provides an overview of its history, design, and
implementation. The SSR is a composite indicator that evaluates missions
across multiple dimensions, including debris mitigation, collision
avoidance, and data-sharing practices, providing operators with actionable
feedback and recognition for their contributions to space sustainability.
Drawing on methodologies from successful sustainability rating systems in
other industries, such as LEED, the SSR combines simulations,
questionnaires, and evidence verification to assess compliance with best
sustainable practices. The rating framework is structured into six main
modules, complemented by an overarching verification module, and is
applicable across all mission phases. This paper discusses the challenges
addressed by the SSR, its alignment with international debris mitigation
guidelines, and its role in fostering voluntary sustainable behavior among
space operators.
SSR
<https://pdf.sciencedirectassets.com/271447/1-s2.0-S0094576525X2004X/1-s2.0-S0094576525001900/main.pdf?X-Amz-Security-Token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEJL%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2FwEaCXVzLWVhc3QtMSJHMEUCIAsJ%2BapqvYrH5yufUAJ494Bx%2FqZiCAd%2Fi8bV9PRjVdn0AiEA8SIZ%2F2hCO1Eo7kyriOyf0kKsNzqfPOQcd1u429%2FYYDwqsgUISxAFGgwwNTkwMDM1NDY4NjUiDHRN7xHsquXTXyMxqiqPBUtVIWZ6%2F3qtEDh%2F8661b%2FCWIwW7csp%2FXprLuWzq8JtJeeV%2B%2F2qQaCT6qzGpij3tM8qtil2lvEVOIW0yqXfL2C5NW8PYkiutNw7t6oNsXPyrt7LgRQ4Swpelj2Kwb%2FvBnEdhW3FpNRw61XsWzZbaWroHtwUmV4ZIKjHv%2FJrp0aWKEjWHohwHf69g7a9CcFh0GthTGwp%2BxKaL0NAUIepMDGTEzYpa%2Blpc1%2BgvuCcG6nWjLxO1DZb91TmYis36%2Frt2cGS%2BI89OcqQ7otR%2FEW3nlQjZXoW%2BvPam9m28kSWdHck4qLM9IOzin79yMsdkEf5RbDIV2HB1AljmpQ4Tn%2F1fvvKSHJYDgINTgF%2FfXzaaIWml0frfht76xY4Jcj9ijHXJhExmdj0PP2Ho2sp6vOWy5EYotoD6rMsxBeAKAuShRQCgY5rYYqVNdf5SNeD8BC%2FckAfTOQ74viWn2wYvtH3KmUSGESYml5SBrerBMpyykFdIwHaksbKkH%2BdQElNLzLaxOK3TTSwXtFKVHVY4vkdrYabVnmYvNaul4yqQOpQoXu42g8yauGzDuJBfJSyYkCINuiRWDef%2B3lujmyotYio5TqHhi5Ti1LGN%2Fbk1%2ByvtDEmUnAOHYk6mL0tFYboznCLhPyODHRnEokLrkGgVuJ0K2HHzHyzNnDgNNKkNeu4iyaqsSUCw0jL9HHTWV6dOu1B9V%2BPSBxj7BTpZoMJU5V7nwERVP4kqIRRQMYsN%2Bfuqo347POvk4gGq%2FUuUqvg95jyHSkX0fBhBwq1j6GZ2ZS5r663StBHUt9qUQDSi5f8NzS7m1ABwcZPjeAXbl%2Fu9dfAO%2B4riCVesKJPucXXvZiMfww6e%2FQgGct7WunrQ9bTJkK0wmvWdwQY6sQGHOpYVikCwNH2b46xX2TuHn2IpdNakIwJEbtofkFi8EwO%2FmVeWTLJhDbcPPpuCi6T43rKIDOh3NZDrJPC1Viv%2FAcCPnhk9VxKb309ouSUrYpVMR9r7p259ByjYsnHilYlXMybvPnKoXRDRzuvS9Lcaw6om9OX2OlnsPKUI%2BpSCTO%2FZ1o6Tlk4OY03DyNPbAY30Dn5nJxnxlf4Qy3aLUv6GmZKE2tRYkl3srXCZlFaFrvs%3D&X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Date=20250516T180821Z&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Expires=300&X-Amz-Credential=ASIAQ3PHCVTYZPEIFDG4%2F20250516%2Fus-east-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Signature=6388579bdeef9fdcd1100e03a78dfdd7d06a9a8f47f3eebddc650d90e88ef4cc&hash=386d3f2366b4dc38be1671494c6f58127625cc0a3812f2cb1f116600f81194f9&host=68042c943591013ac2b2430a89b270f6af2c76d8dfd086a07176afe7c76c2c61&pii=S0094576525001900&tid=spdf-fe82b733-594c-4daf-afe7-641b4ba6f555&sid=eac7b1fb89107140ce5b17a5695d0d262b8egxrqa&type=client&tsoh=d3d3LnNjaWVuY2VkaXJlY3QuY29t&rh=d3d3LnNjaWVuY2VkaXJlY3QuY29t&ua=0f155b5152040652065b51&rr=940cd1e41a4d9062&cc=us>

Ted
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