Space Sustainability Rating: Towards an Assessment Tool to Assure the Long-Term Sustainability of the Space Environment
- Paper number
IAC-19,A6,8,9,x53404
- Author
Dr. Minoo Rathnasabapathy, United States, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Coauthor
Dr. Danielle Wood, United States, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Coauthor
Prof. Moriba Jah, United States, The University of Texas at Austin
- Coauthor
Dr. Diane Howard, United States, International Institute of Space Law (IISL)
- Coauthor
Mr. Mike French, United States, Bryce Space and Technology
- Coauthor
Ms. Carissa Christiansen, United States, Bryce Space and Technology
- Coauthor
Ms. Aschley Schiller, United States, Bryce Space and Technology
- Coauthor
Dr. Francesca Letizia, Germany, European Space Agency (ESA)
- Coauthor
Dr. Holger Krag, Germany, European Space Agency (ESA)
- Coauthor
Mr. Stijn Lemmens, Germany, European Space Agency (ESA)
- Coauthor
Mr. Nikolai Khlystov,, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Maksim Soshkin, United States
- Year
2019
- Abstract
The ever-increasing amount of space debris continues to pose a threat to valuable space assets. The reliance on space assets coupled with an expected growth of large constellations of micro-satellites and nano-satellites emphasize the critical need to foster responsible behavior by all actors to ensure long-term sustainability of the space environment. The Space Sustainability Rating (SSR) was first conceptualized within the World Economic Forum Global Future Council on Space Technologies. The SSR aims to provide a new, innovative way of addressing the orbital challenge by encouraging responsible behavior in space through increasing transparency of actors’ debris mitigation efforts designed to support long-term sustainability of the space environment. This paper presents the work of an international and transdisciplinary team to contribute to the early definition of the technical element and operations of the SSR. The paper presents the SSR design methodology to provide a comprehensive rating for sustainability of space missions in the context of the general status of the environment and global level of adherence to space debris mitigation practices. The SSR would act as a voluntary mechanism, whereby actors undergo an evaluation of their mission through a questionnaire; existing indices and other information should be used in addition to a specific questionnaire in establishing a rating. By sharing its rating, the actor would provide a single point of reference externally for their mission, thereby increasing transparency and placing emphasis on its debris mitigation approach, without disclosing any mission-sensitive or proprietary information. The rating will act as a differentiator and trigger positive outcomes (e.g., impact insurance cost or funding conditions), incentivizing other actors to improve their behavior. The design, development and implementation of the SSR requires a number of steps including the creation of a technological platform among the space actors to ensure awareness, promote positive concepts and guarantee transparency of the approach. Based on input from different stakeholders (eg. governments, regulators, space agencies, industry trade associations etc.), the paper proposes potential steps to design the technical metrics and parameters of the SSR. The paper further explores the feasibility of the SSR to positively impact elements of the Space value chain – from manufacturers and insurers to launch providers and operators, as well as end customers.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-19,A6,8,9,x53404.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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