ISO 24113:2010

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 24113
First edition
2010-07-01

Space systems — Space debris
mitigation requirements
Systèmes spatiaux — Exigences de mitigation des débris spatiaux




Reference number
ISO 24113:2010(E)
©
ISO 2010

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ISO 24113:2010(E)
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ISO 24113:2010(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction.v
1 Scope.1
2 Normative references.1
3 Terms and definitions .1
4 Symbols and abbreviated terms .3
4.1 Symbols.3
4.2 Abbreviated terms .3
5 Protected regions .4
5.1 General .4
5.2 LEO protected region.4
5.3 GEO protected region .4
6 Technical requirements .5
6.1 Avoiding the intentional release of space debris into Earth orbit during normal operations.5
6.1.1 General .5
6.1.2 Combustion-related products .5
6.2 Avoiding break-ups in Earth orbit .5
6.2.1 Intentional break-ups .5
6.2.2 Accidental break-ups .5
6.3 Removing a spacecraft or launch vehicle orbital stage from the protected regions after
end of mission .5
6.3.1 Probability of successful disposal .5
6.3.2 GEO disposal manoeuvres.6
6.3.3 LEO disposal manoeuvres .6
6.3.4 Re-entry .6
7 Space debris mitigation plan.7
Annex A (informative) Probability of successful disposal .8
Annex B (informative) Post-launch life cycle phases of a launch vehicle or spacecraft .11
Bibliography.13

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ISO 24113:2010(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 24113 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 20, Aircraft and space vehicles, Subcommittee
SC 14, Space systems and operations.
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ISO 24113:2010(E)
Introduction
Space debris comprises all non-functional, man-made objects, including fragments and elements thereof, in
Earth orbit or re-entering the Earth's atmosphere. The growing population of these objects poses an
increasing hazard to missions. In response to this problem, there is international consensus that space
activities be managed to minimize debris generation and risk. This consensus is embodied in space debris
[1]
mitigation guidelines published by organizations such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) ,
[2][3] [4]
the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) and the United Nations (UN) . The
transformation of debris mitigation guidelines into engineering practice is a key purpose of this International
Standard.
[5]
The importance of this International Standard can be seen within the context of four UN treaties that were
established under the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS) to
govern the involvement of nations in space activities. These are the Outer Space Treaty, the Liability
Convention, the Registration Convention and the Rescue Agreement. Through some of these treaties, a
Launching State has total liability for damage caused by its spacecraft or launch vehicle orbital stages (or any
parts thereof) on the surface of the Earth or to aircraft in flight, as well as in outer space where fault can be
proven.
All countries are encouraged to abide by these international agreements in order not to endanger or constrain
existing and future space missions. A Launching State can choose to appoint licensing or regulatory
authorities to administer its approach for complying with the above-mentioned UN treaties. In several
Launching States, these authorities have implemented national legislation to enforce the UN treaties. Such
legislation can include the mitigation of space debris. Some Launching States meet their obligations by
appointing non-regulatory government bodies, such as national space agencies, to provide the necessary
guidelines or requirements, including those for space debris mitigation.
The general aim of space debris mitigation is to reduce the growth of space debris by ensuring that spacecraft
and launch vehicle orbital stages are designed, operated and disposed of in a manner that prevents them
from generating debris throughout their orbital lifetime. This is achieved by:
a) avoiding the intentional release of space debris into Earth orbit during normal operations;
b) avoiding break-ups in Earth orbit;
c) removing spacecraft and launch vehicle orbital stages from protected orbital regions after end of mission;
d) performing the necessary actions to minimize the risk of collision with other space objects.
Such actions are especially important for a spacecraft or launch vehicle orbital stage that has one or more of
the following characteristics:
⎯ a large collision cross-section;
⎯ remains in orbit for many years;
⎯ operates near manned mission orbital regions;
⎯ operates in highly utilized regions, such as protected regions;
⎯ operates in regions of high debris population.
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ISO 24113:2010(E)
This International Standard transforms these objectives into a set of high-level debris mitigation requirements.
Methods and processes to enable compliance with these requirements are provided in a series of lower level
implementation standards.

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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 24113:2010(E)

Space systems — Space debris mitigation requirements
1 Scope
This International Standard defines the primary space debris mitigation requirements applicable to all
elements of unmanned systems launched into, or passing through, near-Earth space, including launch vehicle
orbital stages, operating spacecraft and any objects released as part of normal operations or disposal actions.
The requirements contained in this International Standard aim to reduce the growth of space debris by
ensuring that spacecraft and launch vehicle orbital stages are designed, operated and disposed of in a
manner that prevents them from generating debris throughout their orbital lifetime.
This International Standard is the top-level standard in a series of standards addressing debris mitigation. It
will be the main interface for the user, bridging between the primary debris mitigation requirements and the
lower level implementation standards that will ensure compliance.
This International Standard does not cover launch phase safety for which specific rules are defined elsewhere.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 9000:2005, Quality management systems — Fundamentals and vocabulary
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 9000:2005 and the following apply.
3.1
approving agent
entity from whom approval is sought for the implementation of space debris mitigation requirements with
respect to the procurement of a spacecraft, or its launch, or its operations in space, or a combination of those
activities
EXAMPLE Regulatory or licensing authorities; national or international space agencies.
3.2
break-up
event that destroys an object and generates fragments that are released into space
3.3
casualty risk
probability that a person is killed or seriously injured
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ISO 24113:2010(E)
3.4
disposal
actions performed by a spacecraft or launch vehicle orbital stage to permanently reduce its chance of
accidental break-up and to achieve its required long-term clearance of the protected regions
3.5
disposal phase
interval during which a spacecraft or launch vehicle orbital stage completes its disposal actions
3.6
end of life
instant when a spacecraft or launch vehicle orbital stage is permanently turned off, nominally as it completes
its disposal phase, or when it re-enters, or when the operator can no longer control it
3.7
end of mission
instant when a spacecraft or launch vehicle orbital stage completes the tasks or functions for which it has
been designed, or when it becomes non-functional or permanently halted because of a failure or because of a
voluntary decision
3.8
geostationary Earth orbit
GEO
Earth orbit having zero inclination and zero eccentricity, whose orbital period is equal to the Earth's sidereal
rotation period
3.9
launch vehicle orbital stage
stage of a launch vehicle that is designed to achieve orbit
3.10
Launching State
State that launches or procures the launching of a spacecraft, or a State from whose territory or facility a
spacecraft is launched
NOTE This definition is consistent with the definition in the UN Liability Convention and the Resolution 59/115 of
10 December 2004 on the notion of the Launching State.
3.11
normal operations
planned tasks or functions performed by a spacecraft or launch vehicle orbital stage prior to its disposal
3.12
orbital lifetime
period of time from when a spacecraft or launch vehicle orbital stage achieves Earth orbit to when it
commences re-entry
3.13
probability of successful disposal
probability of successfully disposing of a spacecraft or launch vehicle orbital stage, evaluated as a conditional
probability weighted on the mission success at the time disp
...