Security in Space The Next Generation - UNIDIR
Security in Space The Next Generation - UNIDIR
Security in Space The Next Generation - UNIDIR
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
loss of mission, or loss of life <strong>in</strong> the case of manned spacecraft. For manned<br />
fl ight orbits, space debris mitigation measures are highly relevant due to<br />
crew safety implications.<br />
A set of mitigation guidel<strong>in</strong>es has been developed by the Inter-Agency<br />
<strong>Space</strong> Debris Coord<strong>in</strong>ation Committee (IADC), refl ect<strong>in</strong>g the fundamental<br />
mitigation elements of a series of exist<strong>in</strong>g practices, standards, codes<br />
and handbooks developed by a number of national and <strong>in</strong>ternational<br />
organizations. <strong>The</strong> Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer <strong>Space</strong><br />
acknowledges the benefi t of a set of high-level qualitative guidel<strong>in</strong>es, hav<strong>in</strong>g<br />
wider acceptance among the global space community. <strong>The</strong> Work<strong>in</strong>g Group<br />
on <strong>Space</strong> Debris was therefore established (by the Scientifi c and Technical<br />
Subcommittee of the Committee) to develop a set of recommended<br />
guidel<strong>in</strong>es based on the technical content and the basic defi nitions of the<br />
IADC space debris mitigation guidel<strong>in</strong>es, tak<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to consideration the<br />
United Nations treaties and pr<strong>in</strong>ciples on outer space.<br />
APPLICATION<br />
Member States and <strong>in</strong>ternational organizations should voluntarily take<br />
measures, through national mechanisms or through their own applicable<br />
mechanisms, to ensure that these guidel<strong>in</strong>es are implemented, to the<br />
greatest extent feasible, through space debris mitigation practices and<br />
procedures.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se guidel<strong>in</strong>es are applicable to mission plann<strong>in</strong>g and operation of newly<br />
designed spacecraft and orbital stages and, if possible, to exist<strong>in</strong>g ones.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y are not legally b<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g under <strong>in</strong>ternational law.<br />
It is also recognized that exceptions to the implementation of <strong>in</strong>dividual<br />
guidel<strong>in</strong>es or elements thereof may be justifi ed, for example, by the<br />
provisions of the United Nations treaties and pr<strong>in</strong>ciples on outer space.<br />
SPACE DEBRIS MITIGATION GUIDELINES<br />
<strong>The</strong> follow<strong>in</strong>g guidel<strong>in</strong>es should be considered for the mission plann<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
design, manufacture and operational (launch, mission and disposal) phases<br />
of spacecraft and launch vehicle orbital stages:<br />
129