The global initiative aims to eliminate space debris by 2030

Space debris has been a major concern for the scientific community for some time. In all, it is estimated that about 130 million objects larger than one millimeter orbit the Earth. Once a week, a satellite or missile enters our atmosphere without control or contact. Therefore, the European Space Agency (ESA) developed the world’s first Zero Waste Charter.

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• The global initiative has borne fruit after months of negotiations.
• It plans to significantly reduce the production of space debris in Earth and lunar orbits by 2030.
• According to the European Space Agency, all interested entities can confirm their intention to participate in the global effort.
• The document signing ceremony will take place in the first half of 2024.
• Information is from European Space Agency.

Sustainability in space activities

In 2022, ESA member states encouraged the agency to implement a “debris-free approach to its missions and encourage partners and other actors to follow similar paths.”

As space infrastructure becomes the backbone of our modern society, the spread of space debris threatens our way of life. It is time to work as a community to direct our collective efforts.

Joseph Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency

The initiative ranges from designing and building new aviation missions to responsible waste disposal. These criteria will be applied to all ESA missions and partnerships from 2030 onwards, but before then, measures will already be adopted to ensure the target within the specified deadline.

To implement the Zero Debris Charter, ESA will focus on developing innovative technologies for end-of-life debris disposal, on-orbit maintenance, and active debris removal. Furthermore, the ESA will work together with the institutions responsible for regulatory aspects.

Joseph Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency

According to the document, the problem of space debris is everyone’s responsibility. By stopping the production of debris by 2030, it will become possible to achieve sustainability in space activities.