How Will The UK Drive Space Sustainability?
Science Minister George Freeman has launched a new Plan for Space Sustainability. Quadrant Transport looks at how the measures will demonstrate the UK’s commitment, ambition, and drive to improve the UK’s sustainable use of space.
The plan was announced in a speech to the 4th Summit for Space Sustainability in London as part of a package which aims to make the UK a world leader in driving sustainability in space.
Working with the industry, the government will establish a new Space Sustainability Standard, which will aim to encourage companies to adopt best practices in space sustainability and highlight those who take steps to minimise their footprint.
Greater Space Sustainability Can Be Encouraged By Advances In Technology
Helping to make the UK a more attractive place to operate, invest and help to unlock a sustainable private investment, the standard hopes it will drive the growth in the space sector.
In partnership with the government and the Civil Aviation Authority – the UK spaceflight regulator, the standard will be developed and tested by industry and academia.
Science Minister George Freeman confirmed that the UK will undertake a regulatory review to incentivise sustainable practices, investment, and growth. This will allow new innovations in technologies such as Active Debris Removal (ADR), In-Orbit Servicing and Manufacturing (IOSM) and sustainable development to become normal in space operation.
Doing so is essential if the UK is to lead the way in protecting the space operating environment and continue to make advances in technology and innovations.
It is expected that this will include work alongside industry, academia, and insurers to explore ways of lowering insurance premiums for sustainable missions, helping to drive greater space sustainability.
The Plan For Space Sustainability Highlights UK’s Commitments
Speaking at the Space Sustainability Summit at the Science Museum in London on 23rd June, Science Minister George Freeman said: “The huge increase in commercial satellite launches will see tens of 1000s of small satellites launched in the next ten years.
“A ‘Wild West’ space race without effective regulation risks a growing crisis of debris in space, adding to the existing threat from 400 redundant satellites and a million pieces of debris.
“To harness space for sustainability, we need an agreed framework of standards for measuring and managing debris, improving satellite repair and retrieval and kite-marking genuinely sustainable supply chains.
“As it was with shipping in the 17th century and cars in the 20th, the key will be regulation which enforces good industry standards and reduces the cost of insurance and finance for a satellite launch which can show it is compliant. With London as a global capital of insurance and venture financing, we have an opportunity to use our historic role in space science to now harness responsible finance for sustainable space.
“That is why today I am announcing our Plan for Space Sustainability, a package of announcements which demonstrates the UK’s commitment to using our regulatory leadership.”
This Plan will ensure a safe and sustainable commercial space sector which rewards responsible satellite programs by lowering the costs of launch licenses and insurance for sustainable satellites and space missions.
Outer Space Needs To Be Preserved For Future Generations
To support Phase Three of the implementation of the UN Office for Outer Space Activities (UNOOSA) Guidelines for the Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space, the minister announced that further government investment is in place.
In addition to this, to achieve a safer and more sustainable space environment, the UK is playing a leading role alongside UNOOSA in the adoption of these guidelines, which set out how countries and companies can support the preservation of the outer space environment for future generations.
Phase three of the project will support the build on the work of earlier phases in building awareness of the guidelines among UN member states and identifying barriers to their adoption.
Funding Will Support The Clean Up Of The Earth’s Orbit
The UK government believes that the growing volume of debris in space is environmentally and commercially unstainable and requires swift action to clean up the Earth’s orbit as well as to ensure future projects minimise their footprint through recyclable manufacturing and retrieving satellites and mitigating any debris.
Active Debris Removal (ADR) is a key tool when it comes to cleaning up space junk in the Earth’s orbit. The Science Minister confirmed today that the government’s existing ADR programme will receive £5m funding for the latest phase. Two consortia projects will be selected for grant awards this summer.
Recently receiving an additional £5m funding, the National Space Surveillance and Tracking Programme will include a new ‘monitor your satellites’ collision assessment service, which now has opened for registration for all UK licensed satellite operators following successful trials with several companies.
Today’s announcements, led by industry and government in partnership with UK Space Agency, reflect the UK’s aim to lead a global regulatory framework that both expects and requires the very best standards and drive down the cost of licensing for supply chains which meet these requirements.
