Sustainable Coexistence in Space: How CubeSats and Small Satellites Fit in our Current Space Governance Framework
Session
Weekday Session 6: Orbital Debris, SSA & STM/Propulsion
Location
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Abstract
This paper presents a broad, holistic overview of our current space governance system, from the best practices and self-regulation developed by spacecraft operators and relevant industry associations to the four core treaties of the United Nations, the consensus guidelines of the IADC and UN, the majority approved international standards of ISO and CCSDS, and finally national policy and regulatory governance. Descriptions and examples are provided of the relevant documents issued by each of these categories. The “virtuous cycle” nature of this overall inter-connected governance system is discussed.
The nuanced and special applicability of these space standards instruments is then examined with the CubeSat and small satellite community in mind. A relative comparison is provided for all the primary attributes codified in each of the above space governance documents as pertains to CubeSat spacecraft safety of flight, space traffic coordination and management in the broader context of the global use and sustainability of space. This context includes the backdrop of intentional destruction, and subsequent fragmentation, of on-orbit space objects using direct ascent kinetic kill ASAT weapons, the “inherited” legacy of space debris, and CubeSat collision risk and posed threat in the current New Space era with large constellations. Space events and activities that clearly do not adhere to such best practices will be discussed in order to highlight the negative impacts of operating outside known best practices.
Sustainable Coexistence in Space: How CubeSats and Small Satellites Fit in our Current Space Governance Framework
Utah State University, Logan, UT
This paper presents a broad, holistic overview of our current space governance system, from the best practices and self-regulation developed by spacecraft operators and relevant industry associations to the four core treaties of the United Nations, the consensus guidelines of the IADC and UN, the majority approved international standards of ISO and CCSDS, and finally national policy and regulatory governance. Descriptions and examples are provided of the relevant documents issued by each of these categories. The “virtuous cycle” nature of this overall inter-connected governance system is discussed.
The nuanced and special applicability of these space standards instruments is then examined with the CubeSat and small satellite community in mind. A relative comparison is provided for all the primary attributes codified in each of the above space governance documents as pertains to CubeSat spacecraft safety of flight, space traffic coordination and management in the broader context of the global use and sustainability of space. This context includes the backdrop of intentional destruction, and subsequent fragmentation, of on-orbit space objects using direct ascent kinetic kill ASAT weapons, the “inherited” legacy of space debris, and CubeSat collision risk and posed threat in the current New Space era with large constellations. Space events and activities that clearly do not adhere to such best practices will be discussed in order to highlight the negative impacts of operating outside known best practices.
