Space Debris and Challenges to Safety of Space Activity

ЦНИИМАШ FEDERAL SPACE AGENCY OF RUSSIA TSNIIMASH

SPACE DEBRIS AND CHALLENGES TO SAFETY OF SPACE ACTIVITY

Yuriy Makarov, Dmitriy Gorobets Federal Space Agency

Michael Yakovlev Central Research Institute of Machine Building

The International Interdisciplinary Congress on Space Debris Montreal May 7-9, 2009 fffffffffffff 1 hhhhhhhhhhhh ЦНИИМАШ TSNIIMASH

Man-made orbital debris poses an increasing risk to space vehicles

• The time have come when space debris poses the real risk for long term sustainable space activity, also for people safety and property on the Earth surface.

• Each following launch of a space vehicle at long last leads to creation of new space debris. Moreover, studies indicate that beyond the middle of current century the self-collision fragments will outnumber decaying debris, and force the total debris population to increase.

• Taking into account that space have got more deeply in all fields of activity of states and individuals, any limitation of space activity can lead to negative influence on economy of states and international relations up to development of potential conflicts.

• So, space debris problem that have to be decided, concerns not only aspects of space engineering and space technologies, but also affects the social and economic developmentfffffffffffffof states and their national security. 2 hhhhhhhhhhhh ЦНИИМАШ TSNIIMASH

Regulation of Activity on Space Debris Mitigation

• national standards on space debris mitigation;

• international agreements on space debris mitigation;

• international standards on designing and operation of space assets in order to minimize future space debris population;

• licensing the organizations - designers and operators of space assets on the basis of the developed international standards on space debris mitigation;

• restriction of the space market for the designers and operators of space assets who don’t carry out the requirements of international standards;

• development and implementation of “space traffic management”;

fffffffffffff 3 hhhhhhhhhhhh ЦНИИМАШ TSNIIMASH Scheme of Responsibility for Development of Normative and Technical Documentation on Debris Mitigation

INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITY ON SPACE DEBRIS PROBLEM

UN COPUOS Guidelines on Space Debris Mitigation

IADC Guidelines on Space Debris Mitigation

Licensing of International Lice nsing of S pace O pe rators of Space S tandards Vehicles Designers Ve hicle s on Space Debris

N ational Standards on Space Debris

N A T I O N A L Sfffffffffffff P A C E A C T I V I T Y 4 hhhhhhhhhhhh ЦНИИМАШ TSNIIMASH

UN COPUOS Document on Debris Mitigation

• In June, 2007 at its 62nd session, the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (hereafter – the Committee) endorsed the Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines (Ref. Doc. is A/62/20).

• The COPUOS Guidelines are based on the technical content and the basic definitions of the IADC Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines, taking into consideration the United Nations treaties and principles on outer space.

• The COPUOS agreed that its approval of the voluntary guidelines for the mitigation of space debris would increase mutual understanding on acceptable activities in space and thus enhance stability in space-related matters and decrease the likelihood of friction and conflict.

• The COPUOS Guidelines were subsequently endorsed by the General Assembly in its resolution 62/217 of 21 December, 2007.

fffffffffffff 5 hhhhhhhhhhhh ЦНИИМАШ TSNIIMASH

Hierarchy of Documents on Space Debris Mitigation

UN - TECHNICAL ISSUES UN COPUOS - S&TSC UN COPUOS - Level 3 IADC SD Space Debris Mitigation Basic Mitigation Guidelines Guidelines Principles IADC Support to SD Level 2 Mitigation Guidelines What should be done? (additional technical information)

Design & Operation Practices Level 1 (ISO/National Activities) How it should be done? (technical requirements) Licensing of Operators and Designers (ISO/National Activities) fffffffffffff 6 hhhhhhhhhhhh ЦНИИМАШ TSNIIMASH The Keystones of the Russian Federation Space Policy up to 2020 and Beyond approved by the PRESIDENT of the RUSSIAN FEDERATION, April, 2008 Top Priorities of the Russian Federation Space Activity • Deployment of orbital satellite groupings for supporting communications, TV and radio broadcasting, navigation, ERS, hydrometeorology, basic space research, defense, thus satisfying the national security, social, economic and science sectors requirements. • Assured space access and autonomy of the Russian Federation space activity within the whole range of the missions to be realized owing to construction of a launch site on the country’s territory for operating science- and economy- oriented spacecrafts. • Fulfillment of international obligations including the ISS commitments, completion of the ISS Russian Segment buildup and enhancement of its scientific application payoff • Exploration of Solar system planets and celestial bodies focused on obtaining profound knowledge about the surrounding world, utilizing extraterrestrial resources, studying the Earth climate evolution mechanisms, searching for exobiota

Safety control Assurance of ecological safety of space activity, implementation of of technologies and the designs minimizing production of space debris at launch and operation of spacecraft and orbital stations space activity fffffffffffff 7 hhhhhhhhhhhh ЦНИИМАШ TSNIIMASH International Scientific Optical Network (ISON)

ISON is an open international non-government project mainly aimed at being a free source of information on space objects for scientific analysis

fffffffffffff 8 hhhhhhhhhhhh ЦНИИМАШ TSNIIMASH

Space Debris Modelling

In 2008 the parameters of the 2400 Russian Standard on Debris 2200 Model were updated applying 2000 the accessible data 2003 1800 2005 1600 2007 • It was shown that within the 2009 last two years the velocity of 1400 enhancement of debris 1200 population may be assessed 1000 as unprecedented. It 4 times 800 exceeds the average speed of

600 growth of debris population for Число в кмобъектов 100 слое all previous years. 400

200 • In 2009 the debris population in the range of debris 0 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 concentration maximum was Высота перигея, км enhanced up to 2.6 times in comparing with 2003.

fffffffffffff 9 hhhhhhhhhhhh ЦНИИМАШ TSNIIMASH

ISS Protection Against Space Debris Fragments

HIGH VELOCITY IMPACT EXPERIMENTS • Projectile – Al pellet of 10,72 mm in diameter, velocity ~ 6 km/s. Impact angle ~ 45o. • The investigated structures of equivalent weight:  A - combination of mesh shield with continuous shield (Russian proposal).  B - combination of two continuous shields (as it used at the ISS).

A. Second shield – B. Second shield – without through breakdown through breakdown (The first shield was made from the steel (The first continuous aluminum shield) mesh of special weaving) fffffffffffff 10 hhhhhhhhhhhh ЦНИИМАШ TSNIIMASH

Compliance of Roscosmos Activity in Space Debris Mitigation with the UN Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines

The UN Principle The measures undertaken №/№ of Space Debris in the space vehicles design and operation Mitigation 1 Limit debris • Not to release space debris fragments for “Briz-M”, “DM” orbital stages , 3-rd released during stage (block “I”) of “Soyuz-2” launcher during normal operations. normal • Not to release space debris fragments for spacecraft during normal operations operations .

2 • Strengthening of constructive materials of space vehicles and using of Minimize the shields around fuel tanks, high pressure vessels not to admit accidental potential for break-ups and to protect against impact of meteors and space debris fragments. break-ups during operational • At spacecraft of “Ekran” type to prevent explosions of the detonating gas that is being produced by the silver-cadmium batteries, the said batteries phases were changed to the nickel-hydrogen ones. • In case of orbital stages of “DM” type the minimizing of the potential for break-ups is provided due to presence of relief dampers on fuel tanks and gas cylinders.

fffffffffffff 11 hhhhhhhhhhhh ЦНИИМАШ TSNIIMASH

Compliance of Roscosmos Activity in Space Debris Mitigation with the UN Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines

The UN Principle The measures undertaken №/№ of Space Debris in the space vehicles design and operation Mitigation 3 Limit the • Guaranteed withdrawal of orbital stages from the launched spacecraft is probability of being undertaken thus decreasing the probability of dangerous collisions. accidental • In case of the International Space Station (ISS) the estimation of probability collision in orbit of collisions with large debris fragments is being carried out on a regular basis. Maneuvers of the ISS for leaving from dangerous fragments are envisioned thus decreasing the probability of collisions. 4 Avoid intentional • Intentional destructions are prohibited at all launchers, apogee motors and destruction and spacecraft developed by Roscosmos. other harmful activities 5 Minimize •The pressure release from fuel tanks is made in case of orbital stages after their potential for withdrawal from the launched spacecraft post-mission •In case of orbital stages of “DM” type the following procedures are break-ups implemented: the removal of the remainders of fuel of the sustainer, a burning resulting from out of the remainders of fuel from SOZ engine after separation of spacecraft, a discharge of onboard storage batteries. stored energy •In case of spacecraft of “Express” and “Gonets” types the following procedures are implemented: termination of rotation of handwheels, gyros and other mechanical devices, removal of the remainders of fuel under large pressure, a discharge of chemicalfffffffffffff sources of a current. 12 hhhhhhhhhhhh ЦНИИМАШ TSNIIMASH

Compliance of Roscosmos Activity in Space Debris Mitigation with the UN Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines

№/№ The UN Principle of The measures undertaken Space Debris in the space vehicles design and operation Mitigation 6 Limit the long-term • At the end of mission at presence of a fuel reserve the orbital stage presence of "Frigat" is disposed with the subsequent splashing down. spacecraft and • In case of orbital stages of “DM” type after separation of spacecraft it is launch vehicle orbital flooded by the last momentum pulse of the sustainer. stages in the low • In case of spacecraft "Monitor" type its disposal is envisioned from to lower orbit, providing braking of space vehicle and combustion in an Earth orbit (LEO) atmosphere. region after the end • In a design of spacecraft “Sterkh” the capability of reduction in time of of their mission its presence in an orbit by change of a configuration of solar arrays is incorporated. 7 Limit the long-term • The newly designed geostationary spacecraft disposal to a burial zone interference of (the IADC formula and eccentricity less than 0.003) is envisioned after spacecraft and the end of their mission launch vehicle orbital stages with the

fffffffffffff 13 hhhhhhhhhhhh ЦНИИМАШ TSNIIMASH Disposal of the Emergency S/C “Express AM-11” from GEO

Long term perigee evolution of the disposed • The emergency of “Express AM-11” Прогноз эволюции превышения высоты перигея КА АМ11 над высотой“Express ГСО на AM ближайшие-11” 10 лет, км took place on 29.03.2006. • The prospective reason was a 300 depressurization of a contour of the 290 heat-carrier as a result of impact 280 with mechanical object. 270

260 • Disposal of the emergency S/C from

250 the protected GEO region was

240 performed since 30.03.2006 till

230 7.04.2006. 24.3.06 6.8.07 18.12.08 2.5.10 14.9.11 26.1.13 10.6.14 23.10.15

• 10 disposal burns was done totally. The first one was done by the correction engine. Another 9 burns were done by using of orientation engines. • Orbital parameters of the S/C “Express AM-11” after disposal:  apogee - GEO + 324 km,  perigee - GEO + 266 km,  eccentricity = 0,00026. fffffffffffff 14 hhhhhhhhhhhh ЦНИИМАШ THE 26-th MEETING OF THE INTER-AGENCY SPACE DEBRIS TSNIIMASH COORDINATION COMMITTEE (IADC) MOSCOW - 2008

Deputy Head of Roscosmos Vitaliy Davidov Greetings to the IADC delegates

fffffffffffff 15 hhhhhhhhhhhh 15 ЦНИИМАШ TSNIIMASH

Development of Russian Standards on Space Debris Mitigation

NATIONAL STANDARD OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION “General Requirements to Spacecraft and Orbital Stages on Space Debris Mitigation” General requirements to design and operation of spacecraft and orbital stages to assure space debris mitigation . (had come into force on January 1, 2009)

• The common requirements to space vehicles are established to limit the space debris population in Near Earth Space • The requirements should be applied to new designed and updated space vehicles of all types: civil, science (including deep space investigations), commercial, military and manned missions. • Application of the requirements of the standard must be putted into practice during the all stages of the life of space means: designing, manufacturing, launch, operation and disposal. • The requirements of the NATIONAL STANDARD OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION were harmonized with the UN Mitigation Guidelines

fffffffffffff 16 hhhhhhhhhhhh 16 ЦНИИМАШ TSNIIMASH

The Automated Risk Warning System in a Near-Earth Space

Russian Academy of NASA, ESA, another ROSCOSMOS Agencies Science, Ministry of Defense, etc. TSNIIMASH, Mission Control Centre

Catalogues of Space Objects DATA BASE Data from INTERNET Observational Data, etc.

Data Processing and the Operative Tasks Solution Software

The Forecast of Risk Events in The Forecast of The Forecast of Asteroid and Meteoroid Near Earth Space Dangerous Particle Impact Population and Risk Conjunctions Assessment Modelling

Data Analysis, Catalogues Management, Decision - Making

Essential Data Output Data Presentations fffffffffffff 17 hhhhhhhhhhhh ЦНИИМАШ TSNIIMASH Development of “Space Traffic Management”

The future set of documents and procedures on space traffic management will be international inter-governmental agreements that contain three parts: Securing the Information Needs • Defines necessary data (on trajectories as well as radio frequencies). • Sets provision for the data (sources, governmental as well as private, etc.) • Establishes a database and distribution mechanisms for data, etc. Notification System • Sets pre-launch notification (better data than Registration Convention). • Provides information on the end of operational lifetime. • Provides pre-notification of orbital maneuvers and active de-orbiting. Traffic Management • Provides traffic management rules based on the use of the database for the purpose of collision avoidance • Clarifies "space objects", including legal distinction between valuable objects and valueless space debris. • Clarifies "fault" and/or liability in case of damage caused in outer space with regard to the implications of ffffffffffffftraffic rules, etc. 18 hhhhhhhhhhhh ЦНИИМАШ TSNIIMASH

Space Debris and Challenges to National Security

Space debris issues are connected with aspects of national security of states by the following reasons: • debris environment reflects the background - target conditions which is necessary for planning any operation in space; • space debris may be used as a legend to cover military action against any space asset, for example by using of small-sized (invisible) satellites; • pretext of space debris allow to catch an excuse for beginning of military action if the situation produced by debris will be interpreted as an encroachment on rights, capabilities, and freedom of action in space; In order to exclude pre-conflict situations it is desirable to assure the transparency of space activities whether it concern civil or military assets. fffffffffffff 19 hhhhhhhhhhhh ЦНИИМАШ TSNIIMASH

Space Debris and Challenges to National Security

• Highly important is the UN COPUOS space debris mitigation principle not to create intentionally long-lived space debris because it establishes limitations on tests of any anti-satellite systems and decreases the danger of collisions. • The question of increasing urgency is an active removal of a large debris fragments from the actively used orbits. However it is necessary to determine the rules of identification of space objects as debris. • Unified rules on space traffic management may lead to some limitations that contradict conventional understanding of interests of national security. • With the aim to preserve Space in order to increase knowledge, discovery, economic prosperity the question about “space traffic management” may be discussed at the international level under condition not to create any unilateral advantages for any participant of space activity. fffffffffffff 20 hhhhhhhhhhhh ЦНИИМАШ TSNIIMASH SUMMARY

• Orbital debris poses a risk to continued reliable use of space-based services and operations and to the safety of persons and property in space and on Earth. Space debris problem concerns not only space engineering and space technologies, but also the social and economic development of states and their national security. • Coordinated efforts of space faring nations have produced the fundamental documents on space debris mitigation: the “IADC Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines” and the UN COPUOS Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines that was endorsed by the UN General Assembly. • The Russian Federation supports the UN COPUOS Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines and actively introduces the corresponding requirements into national practices on space debris mitigation. • The further step – “Space traffic management” may be studied as an impendent measure owing to escalating intensity of space activity in conditions of limited orbital resources. This step will demand the holistic approach at which all aspects of space activity should be considered taken together. fffffffffffff 21 hhhhhhhhhhhh ЦНИИМАШ TSNIIMASH

Thank you for your attention!

fffffffffffff 22 hhhhhhhhhhhh 1 SPACE DEBRIS AND CHALLENGES TO SAFETY OF SPACE ACTIVITY

Yuriy Makarov, Dmitriy Gorobets Federal Space Agency, 41, Shepkina Str., Moscow, 129857 Russia Michael Yakovlev Central Research Institute of Machine Building, 4 Pionerskaya Str., Korolev, Moscow Region, 141070 Russia

ABSTRACT

Space debris poses a risk to continued reliable Fulfillment of measures on space debris use of space-based services and operations and to the mitigation will demand an additional onboard power safety of persons and property in space and on the resources, increase of space vehicle’s reliability and Earth. Space active parties intend to minimize space prolonged mission duration. For example, in all debris population being created by the governmental operational orbit regimes, space systems should be and non-government operations in space in order to designed not to release debris during normal operations. preserve the space environment for current and future So, widely used pyrotechnics should be replaced with generations. magnetic locks or other special mechanical devices Nevertheless, various situations caused by space which are obviously not having separated elements. debris can be interpreted as the threat to assets Space vehicles that are terminating their operational deployed on orbit. The report is devoted to analysis of phases in orbits should be de-orbited or where such situations and to the existing and future appropriate maneuvered into an orbit with a reduced regulations of space debris problems. Possible ways are lifetime. Additional propellant budgets will be required analyzed what to do to prevent non adequate response. for disposal maneuvers. Moreover, fulfillment of disposal maneuver will demand the increased reliability INTRODUCTION of onboard electronics at the end of mission. These requirements will lead to substantial growth of space Space is common house for all mankind. Each project’s cost. launch of a space vehicle independently of its As far as debris population will increase the significance, at long last leads to creation of new space world community will search measures to influence debris. upon the states and the organizations that not execute On 10th February 2009, an unpredicted accident the requirements on debris mitigation. Limitations on occurred in space when an inactive Cosmos-2251 space activity of the states - infringers may be satellite and an active commercial Iridium-33 satellite introduced, for example, by introduction of quotas on collided in low-Earth orbit at an altitude of about 800 orbital resources. Taking into account the fact that kilometers above Siberia. Consequently, a large cloud space gets into all fields of activity of the states and of space debris was created which could remain in orbit individuals more deeply, any limitations of space possibly for decades and continue threatening other activity can lead to negative influence on economy of active satellites. states and international relations up to development of The time have come when space debris generate potential conflicts in space. the real risk for prolonged reliable use of space assets, Thus, space debris problem is starting to go out for space market, and also for safety of people and on the foreground of future organization of space property both in space and on the Earth surface. activity. Solution of space debris problems will Realizing the approaching threats the space faring influence not only development of space engineering nations are going to reduce creation of space debris to and space technologies, but will be spread to social and save the space environment for the future generations. economic development of states and to the area of their This idea is the motivation of efforts being undertaken national security. by the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC), the International Organization for 1. REGULATIONS OF ACTIVITY ON SPACE Standardization (ISO), the Scientific and Technical DEBRIS MITIGATION Subcommittee of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and other Regulation of activity on space debris mitigation organizations in their attempts to work out the mutually may include the following main directions: acceptable international documents on space debris  coming into force of the national standards on space mitigation. debris mitigation;

2  coming into force of the international agreements on further development of a human civilization. On the space debris mitigation; other hand, introduction of mitigation measures at a full  coming into force of the international standards on scale will demand significant financial budgets and will designing and operation of space assets in order to be implemented, first of all, by the states with advanced minimize future space debris population; economy, thus even more increasing their presence in  licensing the organizations - designers and operators near-Earth space. of space assets on the basis of the developed Space debris mitigation practice is developing international standards on space debris mitigation; not quite effectively by all participants of space  restriction of the space market for designers and activity. It may be explained by difficulties in operators of space assets who don’t carry out the implementation of additional technical requirements, requirements of international standards; and by poor understanding of the problem at all. In  development and implementation of ―space traffic particular, results of some researches show probability management‖. of cascade multiplication of space debris at The stated scenarios can be considered from the achievement by them of a certain threshold various points of view. On the one hand they reflect concentration in some orbits. Nevertheless at a number natural reaction of the international community in of points the international community had advanced in relation to infringers of ecological balance in the debris mitigation. natural areas representing the vital interest for the

INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITY ON SPACE DEBRIS PROBLEM

UN COPUOS Guidelines on Space Debris Mitigation

IADC Guidelines on Space Debris Mitigation

Licensing of International Licensing of Space Operators of Space Standards Vehicles Designers Vehicles on Space Debris

National Standards on Space Debris

N A T I O N A L S P A C E A C T I V I T Y

Figure 1. System of international cooperation in development of normative and technical documentation directed on space debris mitigation

Now there is the fully formed international and successful practice of national space agencies in debris national scheme of responsibility for development of mitigation is reflected in the said document. normative and technical documentation directed on Five years have passed, and in June, 2007 the space debris mitigation (see Figure 1). ―UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space In 2002 the Inter-Agency Space Debris (COPUOS) Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines‖ have Coordination Committee (IADC) for the first time has been accepted (Ref. Doc. is A/62/20) on the basis of a developed the ―IADC Space Debris Mitigation consensus [2]. The text of the document does not Guidelines‖ [1] that is the set of technical requirements contain quantitative definitions which rigidly would to space vehicles and space operations in order to limit conditions of application of space engineering. prevent enhancement of debris population. The most The guidelines are applicable to mission planning and operation of newly designed spacecraft and orbital 3 stages and, if possible, to existing ones. They are not the IADC was started in 1993 at the meeting in legally binding under international law. It is also Moscow when the IADC Terms of Reference had been recognized that exceptions to the implementation of adopted. Roscosmos delegation takes part in all individual guidelines or elements thereof may be sessions of the IADC, ISO. Every year we present a justified, for example by provisions of the ―United comprehensive report about activity on debris Nations Treaties and Principles on Outer Space‖. The mitigation to the Scientific and Technical Committee agreed that its approval of the voluntary Subcommittee UN COPUOS. guidelines for the debris mitigation would increase Last year the President of the Russian Federation mutual understanding on acceptable activities in space approved The Keystones of the Russian Federation and thus enhance stability in space-related matters and Space Policy up to 2020 and beyond. This document decrease the likelihood of friction and conflict. determines the top priorities of space activity such as: In January, 2008 the UN General Assembly  Deployment of orbital satellite groupings for endorsed the UN Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines supporting communications, TV and radio (Ref. Doc. is A/RES/62/217). broadcasting, navigation, ERS, hydrometeorology, In 2001 the International Organization for basic space research, defense, thus satisfying the Standardization (ISO) had started work to prepare an national security, social, economic and science international standards on space debris mitigation. sectors requirements. Some of the priority standards are listed below:  Assured space access and autonomy of the Russian  ―Space systems — Orbital Debris – Management for Federation space activity within the whole range of Debris Mitigation‖; the missions to be realized owing to construction of a  ―Space systems —Unmanned Spacecraft, Estimating launch site on the country’s territory for operating Mass of Remaining Usable Propellant‖; science- and economy-oriented spacecrafts.  ―Space systems — Launch Collision Avoidance‖;  Fulfillment of international obligations including the  ―Space Systems — Orbit determination and ISS commitments, completion of the ISS Russian estimation – Process for Orbit Information Data Segment buildup and enhancement of its scientific Exchange‖; application payoff.  ―Space Systems — Disposal of Satellites Operating  Exploration of Solar system planets and celestial at Geosynchronous Altitude‖. bodies focused on obtaining profound knowledge The above said documentation at all is the basis about the surrounding world, utilizing extraterrestrial for developing the national standards on space debris resources, studying the Earth climate evolution mitigation. In such a way since the 1st of January, 2009 mechanisms, searching for exobiota. the National Standard of the Russian Federation on Among the top priorities there is the Safety space debris mitigation have come into force besides Control of Space Activity that includes assurance of the previously approved branch standards of the same ecological safety of space activity, implementation of type. The requirements of National Standard have been technologies and the designs minimizing production fully harmonized with the requirements of the UN of space debris at launch and operation of COPUOS Guidelines on Space Debris Mitigation. spacecraft and orbital stations. The practice of licensing activity of the Some examples of our activity will be illustrated organizations - designers and operators of spacecrafts below. and orbital stages is being developed. Licensing is In field of space debris observation Russian based on the existing international documents on space Space Surveillance System carries on the Catalogue of debris mitigation. For example, on June 21, 2004, the space objects that is used for needed space operations, United States Federal Communications Commission for example for the ISS maneuvering and re-entry (FCC) released a comprehensive set of debris campaigns. The Scientific Optical Instruments Network mitigation rules, including the disclosure requirement for astrometric and photometric tracking of space rules for orbital debris mitigation [3]. debris fragments was organized. The Network It is important to emphasize that all accepted integrates 18 observatories, 25 telescopes. The Network international documents on debris mitigation are based includes three specialized subsystems – on the ―IADC Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines‖.  GEO and GTO objects surveillance; This fact confirms the IADC role as the leading  high orbit small-size space debris fragments detection international technical expert on space debris problem. and tracking;  LEO and high elliptical orbit objects observation. 2. RUSSIAN ACTIVITY ON SPACE DEBRIS In 2008 effectiveness of the Network have been PROBLEM enhanced by 2.5 times as compared with 2007. Due to Network capabilities the number of known GEO Since early ninetieth of the last century Russia objects have increased more than 35%. actively participate in all actions directed to solve the In field of space debris modeling Russian problem. It is enough to tell that the official activity of specialists have updated the parameters of the Russian 4 Debris Model Standard. It was shown that within the envisioned thus decreasing the probability of last two years the velocity of enhancement of debris collisions. population is to be assessed as unprecedented. It 4 Principle 4 of the UN COPUOS Guidelines - times exceeds the average speed of growth of debris Avoid intentional destruction and other harmful population for all previous years. In 2009 the debris activities. population in the range of debris concentration Undertaken measures: maximum was enhanced up to 2.6 times in comparing  Intentional destructions are prohibited at all with 2003. Probability of collisions in space is launchers, orbital stages and spacecraft developed by increased accordingly. Roscosmos. In field of screen protection against high velocity Principle 5 of the UN COPUOS Guidelines - debris impact the main efforts of Russian specialists are Minimize potential for post-mission break-ups resulting concentrated around the International space Station from stored energy. (ISS). As illustration of the achieved results there may Undertaken measures: be mentioned the experimental data of aluminum  The pressure release from fuel tanks is made in case projectile impact on two-screen design models: of orbital stages after their withdrawal from the  two layers of aluminum screen that is usual for ISS; launched spacecraft  the design developed by the Russian specialists in  For orbital stages of ―DM‖ type the removal of which the first layer of the screen is replaced with a remainders of fuel, a discharge of batteries are steel grid of special weaving. implemented. In case of a steel grid the protected wall has only a dent  For spacecraft of ―Express‖ and ―Gonets‖ types the but not have been punched. termination of rotation of mechanical devices, In field of space debris mitigation Roscosmos is removal of the remainders of fuel and discharge of being implemented the Principles of the UN COPUOS batteries are implemented. Debris Mitigation Guidelines in practice its own space Principle 6 of the UN COPUOS Guidelines - activity. The measures undertaken are as follows. Limit the long-term presence of spacecraft and launch Principle 1 of the UN COPUOS Guidelines - vehicle orbital stages in the low Earth orbit (LEO) Limit debris released during normal operations. region after the end of their mission. Undertaken measures: Undertaken measures:  Not to release space debris fragments for ―Briz-M‖,  At the end of mission at presence of a fuel reserve the ―DM‖ orbital stages , 3-rd stage (block ―I‖) of orbital stages "Frigat", ―DM‖ are disposed with the ―Soyuz-2‖ launcher during normal operations. subsequent splashing down.  Not to release space debris fragments for spacecraft  In case of spacecraft "Monitor" type its disposal is during normal operations. envisioned from to lower orbit. Principle 2 of the UN COPUOS Guidelines -  In spacecraft ―Sterkh‖ the reduction of orbital Minimize the potential for break-ups during operational lifetime is incorporated by change of solar arrays phases. configuration. Undertaken measures: Principle 7 of the UN COPUOS Guidelines -  Strengthening of the constructive materials and Limit the long-term interference of spacecraft and shielding of fuel tanks, high pressure vessels not to launch vehicle orbital stages with the GEO region after admit accidental break-ups under impact of meteors the end of their mission. and debris fragments. Undertaken measures:  At spacecraft of ―Ekran‖ type to prevent explosions  For newly designed GEO spacecraft disposal to a of the detonating gas that is being produced in the burial zone is envisioned after the end of their silver-cadmium batteries, the said batteries were mission (in according with the IADC formula and changed to the nickel-hydrogen ones. eccentricity less than 0.003).  In case of orbital stages of ―DM‖ type the One more example illustrates the Russian practice on minimizing of the potential for break-ups is provided GEO disposal. This is the emergency situation of due to presence of relief dampers on fuel tanks and ―Express AM-11‖ in March 2006. The prospective gas cylinders. reason was a depressurization of the heat-carrier pipe Principle 3 of the UN COPUOS Guidelines - due to impact with mechanical object. Disposal of the Limit the probability of accidental collision in orbit. emergency S/C from the protected GEO region was Undertaken measures: performed as result of 10 disposal burns. The first pulse  Guaranteed withdrawal of orbital stages from the was done by correction engine. Another 9 pulses were orbit of launched spacecraft is being undertaken thus done by orientation engines. The resulted disposal decreasing the probability of dangerous collisions. orbit was in according with the IADC requirements.  In case of the International Space Station (ISS) the In April, 2008 Roscosmos hosted the 26-th estimation of probability of collisions is being carried IADC Meeting. The meeting was held in Moscow. All out on a regular basis. Maneuvers of the ISS are delegations (about 150 delegates) were present at the 5 meeting. A number of questions were discussed such  Notification System; as:  Traffic Management.  International space debris observational campaigns, Organization procedures for provision of inter-  The study of the importance of non-GEO objects for governmental agreements may be as follows: S/C in GEO,  the provisions of the three agreements initially could  Sensor systems to detect impacts on spacecraft be monitored by UN Committee on the Peaceful  IADC Reentry Campaigns and many others. Uses of Outer Space and handled by the UN Office The discussions taken place were useful to find the for Outer Space Affairs. ways of further investigations.  subsequently, post 2020 the new agreement, together New Russian National Standard ―General with the existing space treaties, could be superseded Requirements to Spacecraft and Orbital Stages on by a comprehensive Outer Space Convention. Space Debris Mitigation‖ had come into force. The As the first steps on space traffic improvement requirements of the Standard should be applied to new the Report lists the following measures: designed and updated space vehicles of different type:  coordination and steady raising of efforts to establish civil, science, commercial, military and manned an unified policy and an infrastructure of missions. Application of the Standard requirements management of the Catalogue of observable space spreads to all stages of life cycle of space vehicles: objects (USA, ESA, Russia and others, including designing, manufacturing, launch, operation and the private organizations); disposal. The requirements of the Standard are fully in  enforcement and checking mechanisms resulting in line with the UN Mitigation Guidelines obligatory notification / registration and the provision In according with the Federal Space Program of of unified sets of relevant data for the objects Russia the Automated Information & Analytical launched into outer space; System for Short- and Long-Term Prediction and  UN COPUOS should start discussing whether or not Warning of the Emergency Situations in Space have space debris is space object in the sense used in space been developed. Mission Control Center together with law treaties. NASA regularly analyze the close approaches between The mutual consent of participants of space ISS with other objects to assess the collision risks. If activity on ―space traffic management‖ can be achieved hazardous situation occur a set of maneuvers to avoid only on the basis of the international and the dangerous space object is fulfilled by ISS. Such intergovernmental agreements on safe use of outer maneuvers were realized on August last year and in space that should not substitute the ―United Nations March this year. The Russian Mission Control Center Treaties and Principles on Outer Space‖. Discussion of tracks the objects re-entering the upper atmosphere. In ―space traffic management‖ should be carried out in the this case special attention is paid to large-size space competent international organizations that enjoy objects or so called risk objects. authority in respect to states and organizations of the international community. 3. THE FURTHER STEPS IN ASSURANCE OF SAFETY IN SPACE 4. SPACE DEBRIS AND CHALLENGES TO NATIONAL SECURITY OF STATES The further step in assurance of safety in space may be so called ―Space Traffic Management‖ that was Space debris issues are connected with aspects of proposed by International Academy of Astronautics in national security of states by the following reasons: its Report to the Science Technical Subcommittee UN  debris environment reflects the background - target COPUOS [4]. ―Space traffic management‖ is being conditions which is necessary for planning any understood as development and implementation of a set military action in space; of the normative documents and organizational  space debris may be used as a legend to cover procedures providing safety of space activity at all military action against any space asset, for example by space mission stages. There is not supposed the need of using of small-sized (invisible)satellites; a unified structure for the control over space motion.  pretext of space debris allow to catch an excuse for The problem can be solved within the limits of beginning of military action if the situation produced interaction of the national and international organizations executing mission control of space rights, capabilities, and freedom of action in space. objects, on the basis of the conventional agreements The example of potentially disputed situation is and instructions. the sudden failure of some military or important civil The Report proposes possible structure of the set spacecraft of any state. If the event cannot be explained of documents and procedures on space traffic by observational data the possibility remains to explain management. The international inter-governmental the failure as result of deliberate impact by using agreements envisioned would contain three parts: invisible (for observational means of victim party)  Securing the Information Needs; satellites. So, it is especially important to agree the 6 procedures of notification about launches and Guidelines‖ and the UN COPUOS Space Debris maneuvers of small satellites in outer space. Visibility Mitigation Guidelines that was endorsed by the UN of small satellites may be increased by using of special General Assembly. radio beacons or angular reflectors which should be  The Russian Federation supports the UN COPUOS envisioned in structure of their onboard equipment. In Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines and actively case of absence of the said improvements space introduces the corresponding requirements into systems customers should avoid application of poorly national practices on space debris mitigation. visible satellites in orbits, especially in GEO.  The further step – ―Space traffic management‖ may The UN COPUOS space debris mitigation be studied as an impendent measure owing to principle 4 - not to create intentionally long-lived space escalating intensity of space activity in conditions of debris – is especially meaningful because it establishes limited orbital resources. This step will demand the limitations on tests of any anti-satellite systems and holistic approach at which all aspects of space decreases the danger of collisions. activity should be considered taken together. The question of increasing urgency concerns capability of cleaning of the actively used orbits from REFERENCIES space debris. Such operations can be realized with use of technologies of detection, approach, docking and 1. ―Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination disposal of dangerous objects to a burial zone. However Committee Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines‖, it is necessary to determine the rules of identification of Abano Terme, Italy, 2002. space objects that should be deleted as useless ones and relating to space debris. To carry out such operations 2. ―UN COPUOS Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines‖, the more detailed description of mission purpose, the 62-nd session of the UN Committee on the Peaceful spacecraft features and operation plan in orbit is Uses of Outer Space, Vienna, Austria, 2007. required for the Register of the United Nations. Just now some of these data are not available especially in 3. Second Report and Order of the Federal case of military assets. Communications Commission, Parts 5, 25, and 97 Principles of free access to or use of space are Mitigation of Orbital Debris, IB Docket No. 02-54, incorporated in the fundamentals of national policy of Washington, D.C. 20554, Released: June 21, 2004. all leading space faring nations. Unified rules on space traffic management will be directed to prevent the 4. ―Cosmic study of Space Traffic Management‖, the dangerous situations in space. Adoption of the said Report of International Academy of Astronautics to the rules may lead to some limitations that contradict Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the UN conventional understanding of interests of national COPUOS, Veinna, Austria, 2006. security in field of space activity. Any progress in space traffic management will appear effective only in case when it will be carried out on the basis of voluntary adopted limitations for every participant of space activity on basis of consensus. With the aim to preserve Space in order to increase knowledge, discovery, economic prosperity the question about ―space traffic management‖ may be discussed at the international level under condition not to create any unilateral advantages for any participant of space activity under condition not to create any unilateral advantages for any participant of space activity

CONCLUSION  Orbital debris poses a risk to continued reliable use of space-based services and operations and to the safety of persons and property in space and on Earth. Space debris problem concerns not only space engineering and space technologies, but also the social and economic development of states and their national security.  Coordinated efforts of space faring nations have produced the fundamental documents on space debris mitigation: the ―IADC Space Debris Mitigation