NASA’s Space Sustainability Strategy
NASA is a proactive leader for responsible and sustainable space operations, marked by the development of widely adopted best practices, analytic studies, models, technologies, and operations for the benefit of all.
Introduction
A Burgeoning Space Environment
The space operating environment is undergoing rapid changes with the emergence of new commercial capabilities that NASA has championed, including increased satellite activity and novel space capabilities such as satellite constellations, autonomous spacecraft, and commercial space destinations. Understanding the associated risks and benefits of new and existing capabilities is crucial for space sustainability.
Under the leadership of a cross-agency advisory board, NASA has committed to develop an integrated agencywide strategy to measure and assess space sustainability for Earth, Earth orbit, the cislunar space, and deep space. NASA will identify the most cost-effective ways to meet our sustainability targets, incentivize adoption of sustainable practices through technology and policy development, and increase our efforts to share and receive information with the rest of the global space community.
Space Sustainability Documents
Cost and Benefit Analysis of Mitigating, Tracking, and Remediating Orbital Debris
The Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy report, “Cost and Benefit Analysis of Mitigating, Tracking, and Remediating Orbital Debris” updates the risk model used in the “Cost and Benefits Analysis of Orbital Debris Remediation” report and expands the breadth of actions considered to include mitigating the creation of debris, improving the ability to track debris, and more methods for cleaning up existing debris.
Cost and Benefit Analysis of Orbital Debris Remediation
The Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy report, “Cost and Benefit Analysis of Orbital Debris Remediation,” considers several remediation approaches to reducing the risks posed by orbital debris, including moving, removing, or reusing it. Some remediation approaches could create more benefits than costs in under a decade, the report found.
New NASA Strategy Envisions Sustainable Future for Space Operations
To address a rapidly changing space operating environment and ensure its preservation for generations to come, NASA released the first part of its integrated Space Sustainability Strategy, on Tuesday advancing the agency’s role as a global leader on this crucial issue.
Press Release about New NASA Strategy Envisions Sustainable Future for Space Operations
Responsible Exploration: Preserving the Cosmos
The aerospace ecosystem is undergoing rapid changes with the emergence of new capabilities, many of which NASA has championed. Today, NASA is unveiling the agency’s unified and comprehensive strategy to support the long-term sustainability of the space environment and continue its longstanding proactive leadership of preserving the cosmos.
Learn MoreEngage with Us
NASA’s Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy is soliciting research and analysis related to the social, economic, and policy aspects of orbital space and lunar surface sustainability.
Learn more about how to submit your proposal about Engage with Us