Achieving Space Sustainability for Generations to Come
Space debris is a common problem for all spacefaring nations and emerging space economies.
In 2022, the UK Space Agency estimated that more than 130 million pieces of space debris are orbiting Earth, ranging from tiny flecks of paint to entire satellites. These space debris can create a chain reaction of collisions known as the Kessler syndrome, posing significant challenges to space exploration and satellite operations.
With the issue of space debris coming to the forefront, there is a pressing need to raise awareness about making space sustainable. In the same context, earlier this year, we held a panel session about Space Situational Awareness and Orbital Sustainability at the annual Global Space and Technology Convention (GSTC). We discussed the close relationship between sustainability on Earth and in space, and raise awareness across different sectors and adjacent industries.
A workshop and discussion on space sustainability were also conducted at GSTC by the Secure World Foundation (SWF), the UK Space Agency, and SSTL. Asides from highlighting the importance of space sustainability, participants of the workshop, ranging from commercial to government players, also discussed how actions and behaviours can either hamper or aid in achieving a sustainable space.
The Importance of Responsible Behavior in Enhancing Space Sustainability Workshop by Secure World Foundation & UK Space Agency at GSTC 2023. (Image credit: SSTL)
Last month, SWF also hosted the 5th Summit for Space Sustainability, an event focused on developing solutions for space sustainability. There, the Space Industry Debris Mitigation Recommendations, published in collaboration with the World Economic Forum and the European Space Agency, was launched.
Digantara, an Indian/Singaporean space start-up and a member of SSTL’s Accelerator Programme, has set out a vision to build a sustainable near-Earth environment and take the first step towards enabling a circular space economy. Digantara’s pioneering Space - Mission Assurance Platform (Space - MAP) will serve as a one-stop solution for all space operations, with products offered through a data feedback loop using multi-modal data sets.
With Digantara’s expansion into Singapore, the company is working closely with SSTL and other stakeholders in the ecosystem towards building Space Situational Awareness (SSA) capability in Singapore while supporting its vision of building a sustainable space ecosystem.
“We are excited to see the Singaporean government’s advocacy on space sustainability and being vocal about niche sectors such as SSA. It gives us immense pleasure to have the support of the stakeholder whose vision matches ours. We are very grateful for the support and are excited to work with them to build a sustainable future,” says Anirudh Sharma, CEO of Digantara.
Indeed, ensuring the continued use of Space is a paramount concern that shapes our actions today and safeguards the infinite possibilities of tomorrow. SSTL supports organisations, innovations, and practices that preserve the cosmic environment. We are also committed to contributing to a cleaner orbit by providing a platform for the space community to connect, collaborate, and spread the importance of space sustainability.