Implementing the Space Sustainability Rating: An Innovative Tool to Foster Long-term Sustainability in Orbit

Paper number

IAC-21,A6,8-E9.1,3,x65804

Author

Dr. Minoo Rathnasabapathy, United States, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Coauthor

Prof. Danielle Wood, United States, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Coauthor

Dr. Francesca Letizia, Germany, European Space Agency (ESA)

Coauthor

Mr. Stijn Lemmens, Germany, European Space Agency (ESA)

Coauthor

Prof. Moriba Jah, United States, The University of Texas at Austin

Coauthor

Mr. Simon Potter, United Kingdom, Bryce Space and Technology

Coauthor

Mr. Nikolai Khlystov,, United States

Coauthor

Mr. Miles Lifson, United States, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Coauthor

Ms. Kristi Acuff, United States

Coauthor

Mr. Riley Steindl, United States, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Coauthor

Ms. Maya Slavin, United States, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Coauthor

Prof. Jean-Paul Kneib, Switzerland, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)

Coauthor

Ms. Emmanuelle David, Switzerland, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)

Year

2021

Abstract

Given the growing number of government and commercial actors, and plans of mega constellations, there is a critical need to consider implementing tools that will incentivize space actors to foster responsible behavior and implement debris prevention and reduction measures in order to ensure long-term sustainability of the space environment.  

Over the past two years, an international and trans-disciplinary  consortium  consisting of  the  World  Economic  Forum,  Space  Enabled  Research Group at  Massachusetts  Institute  of  Technology  (MIT)  Media  Lab,  European  Space  Agency, University of Texas at Austin, and Bryce Space and Technology have been working on the design and development of the Space Sustainability Rating (SSR). The SSR is a tool to assess and recognize missions that design mission compatible with sustainable and responsible  operations that  reduce  the potential  harm  to  the orbital  environment  and the impact  on  other  operators. Designed as a composite indicator, the SSR consists of six modules highlighting   key   related   decisions   faced   by   space operators in all phases of the mission. These include the mission index to calculate the space traffic footprint; (ii) collision avoidance capabilities; (iii) ability and willingness of the operator to share data on the mission data; (iv) the mission’s detectability, identification and tracking; (v) operator’s compliance with standards and regulations; and (vi) commitment to use or demonstration of use of on-orbit servicing and external services.  

Following the presentations at the IAC2019 and IAC2020, this paper provides a third installment of the design of the SSR, including an overview of the scoring methodology developed for each of the SSR modules. Prior to the SSR’s public launch, the consortium conducted alpha and beta tests on the SSR in order to gain valuable feedback from stakeholders. This paper will present the methodology of the SSR alpha and beta tests, subsequent feedback, and lessons learnt that have been effectively implemented into the design of the SSR to increase the usability of the rating system. 

In late 2020, the World Economic Forum announced a call for applications for the formal management and hosting of the SSR on a permanent basis. As the SSR transitions from design to implementation, this paper will further present the key criteria used to select the administrative organization, chosen to work with the consortium on finalizing the design of the SSR, and developing a business model to practically and sustainably executing the rating system.

Abstract document

IAC-21,A6,8-E9.1,3,x65804.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-21,A6,8-E9.1,3,x65804.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.