ESA-ECSL Workshop on Space Debris Regulation, Standards and Tools

Background information:

Space activities are expanding in terms of both volume and geographical distribution of space actors. As a consequence, many governments are currently seeking to embrace the dynamic development in their countries by establishing the required regulatory and administrative framework. Space debris mitigation is a challenge often addressed in this context, as it not only involves law-making but also requires implementation according to standards and a transparent verification process.

This interdisciplinary workshop aims to assist legislators, mission designers and approving authorities in addressing space debris at their respective levels in a coherent way and according to best current practices. At the same time, this workshop will provide a platform for all of them to network and share their experience. The Workshop will consist of three days:

• The first day, will look at the legal framework relevant for space debris mitigation and active debris removal (ADR) on both an international and national level. The aim is to learn and discuss how to establish adequate regulatory regimes and ensure compliance by national actors, and what requirements should be imposed to mitigate further debris and facilitate for ADR.
• The second day, will discuss non-legally binding standards which are often called upon in implementation processes or even regulation, as well as the procedures already used by ESA in the review process of the Agency’s own missions.This includes an introduction to the ESA Space Debris Mitigation Verification Handbook and the ESA Re-entry Safety Handbook.
• On the third day, ESA will present and officially release the latest version of the MASTER (Meteoroid and Space Debris Terrestrial Environment Reference) and DRAMA (Debris Risk Assessment and Mitigation Analysis). These tools, offered by ESA since about 10 years, are applied world-wide by a large community of users for the verification of the implementation of space debris mitigation measures in a mission.

The workshop targets professionals from government, industry, space agencies and international organisations who work on space debris matters. Priority is given to individuals involved in drafting or implementing space-debris related laws and regulations, be it at technical level for space mission planning or at administrative level for licensing space activities.The workshop is also open to students on a non-priority basis.

Registration:

We invite those interested to complete the registration form in order to apply to be a participant; selected candidates will receive an additional confirmation email once accepted.

You may register for one, two or all three days, but preference is given to those who can attend all days. There will be 80 places available. Participation in the workshop is free of charge.  

Location:

The Workshop venue is ESOC, Robert-Bosch-Str 5 - 64293 Darmstadt, Germany.

Please do not forget to bring your personal ID/passport.

Program:

The updated program can be found below:
http://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/ECSL/ESA-ECSL_Space_Debris_Work_Shop_Program_18.03.2019.pdf 

Contact information:

For any questions or inquiries you may contact the ECSL Executive Office at ecsl@esa.int.