Secure World Foundation Signs Zero Debris Charter at IAC 2024

Monday, October 14, 2024

Milan, Italy – October 14, 2024
Secure World Foundation is proud to announce that today, Dr. Peter Martinez, Executive Director of SWF, signed the Zero Debris Charter at the 2024 International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Milan, Italy. This landmark initiative, led by the European Space Agency (ESA), represents a global effort to stop the generation of new space debris by 2030 and to safeguard the long-term sustainability of space activities.

The signing marks a pivotal moment in SWF's mission to promote space safety and sustainability. Dr. Martinez joined a growing community of over 100 organizations from across the globe, all committed to advancing ambitious, measurable goals that address one of the most pressing issues facing space activities today—space debris.

What is the Zero Debris Charter?

Launched by ESA and co-developed by a diverse group of global space stakeholders, the Zero Debris Charter is a non-legally binding agreement aimed at mitigating the generation of space debris and fostering responsible behaviors in orbit. By establishing clear, measurable targets, the Charter creates a roadmap for space debris prevention, collision risk reduction, and improved space traffic coordination, all with the goal of achieving a debris-neutral orbit by 2030.

The Charter emphasizes cooperation among space actors and sets specific technical targets, such as ensuring that the probability of debris-generating collisions remains below 1 in 1000 during a spacecraft's orbital lifetime. It also calls for increased transparency, information sharing, and the timely removal of defunct satellites from critical orbits like low Earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary orbit (GEO).

To learn more about the Charter, visit the ESA Zero Debris Charter website.

Why Space Debris Matters

Satellites play an essential role in modern life, supporting everything from telecommunications and navigation to climate research and space exploration. However, these critical assets are increasingly at risk due to the growing number of debris objects in orbit. Currently, over 130 million pieces of space debris larger than a millimeter orbit the Earth, posing significant threats to operational satellites and the future of space activities.

The rapid increase in satellite launches over the past few years—more than in the entire six decades of prior space exploration—has only heightened the need for global action. Without effective debris mitigation measures, the potential for collisions will continue to rise, jeopardizing both current and future missions.

SWF’s Role in the Charter

Secure World Foundation has long been at the forefront of efforts to promote responsible space governance and space sustainability. As an active contributor to the creation of the Zero Debris Charter, SWF worked closely with other space actors to help define the principles and targets that will guide the space community toward a debris-free orbit.

Looking Forward: Building a Sustainable Space Future

The signing of the Zero Debris Charter is just one part of Secure World Foundation’s broader commitment to space sustainability. SWF will continue to collaborate with international partners, governments, industry leaders, and research institutions to develop and promote best practices for the responsible use of space.

By supporting initiatives like the Zero Debris Charter, SWF aims to build a sustainable, safe, and secure space environment, ensuring that space remains accessible to all.