The UK and New Zealand space agencies have signed a blueprint for
the removal and servicing of operational satellites that are very
close together or making contact with one another.
The arrangement, signed at the International Astronautical
Congress in Milan, is designed to support missions in the
fast-growing areas of in-orbit servicing, space debris removal
and satellite refuelling, known as ‘rendezvous and proximity'
operations.
Modern society is increasingly reliant on satellite technology
and the Earth's orbits are more crowded than ever before. There
is an urgent need to invest in new technologies that can help
remove debris from space and keep satellites operating for
longer.
However, these complex missions involve moving spacecraft close
to one another, and the novel nature of these missions raises
difficult questions around the application of international rules
and guidelines, particularly if launched and operated by more
than one nation. Given the importance of improving space
sustainability, New Zealand and the UK have been exploring ways
to reduce the legal, policy, and regulatory barriers, and
uncertainty associated with multistate rendezvous and proximity
missions.
The work between the UK and New Zealand is designed to
demonstrate how international corporation in this area can keep
space sustainable for current and future generations. It provides
a set of principles for allocating liability between different
states involved in the different stages of these missions. It
does this within the framework set out in the Convention on
International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects (the
‘Liability Convention'), as well as principles around licensing
and information sharing.
As the Liability Convention was established in 1972, when most
space missions were led by governments rather than companies, the
UK and New Zealand are hoping to make its application to the
current space age easier to navigate, reducing barriers for
industry to carry out these important mission types.
Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency said:
As space leaders from across the world gather in Milan this week,
we're pleased to agree with our partners in New Zealand a
world-first arrangement to help ease the way for future missions
that can help keep space sustainable.
In-orbit servicing and manufacturing and space debris removal are
high-growth areas for the global space sector, and we hope our
work with New Zealand can act as a blueprint for other nations to
follow and benefit from.
Iain Cossar, Head of the New Zealand Space Agency said:
We place a lot of importance on space sustainability in New
Zealand, and this agreement with the UK demonstrates our
commitment to ensuring our space environment is safe and
sustainable.
The arrangement outlines how we will cooperate on active debris
removal and in-orbit servicing missions.
The principles and guidance we have developed could apply more
broadly to other states, and like the UK, we hope this work can
serve as a blueprint to enable these important activities
internationally as we look to address the challenges posed by
orbital debris.
New Zealand is home to the world's first private spaceport which
has conducted 49 launches to date. The UK is due to host its
first vertical orbital launches from spaceports in Scotland in
2025, following the first horizontal launch attempt from
Spaceport Cornwall last year.
Independent research published in 2022 estimates the global
market for In-Orbit Services and Manufacturing to be $14.3
billion. A 2023 report
from the UKspace trade association puts the opportunity for
the UK at £2.7 billion.
Joanne Wheeler, Managing Director of the Earth & Space
Sustainability Initiative, said:
This agreement between the UK and New Zealand space agencies for
the removal and servicing of satellites shows real leadership in
this important area of space sustainability and is an excellent
example of the all-important international collaboration that is
vital to the sustainability of space.
