12 countries signed the Zero Debris Charter, a landmark initiative led by the European Space Agency (ESA) to address the pressing issue of space debris. Unveiled in 2023, the Charter commits signatories to achieving debris-neutral space activities by 2030.
What is Zero Debris Charter
The Zero Debris Charter is a world-leading effort to become debris neutral in space by 2030 that was unveiled at the ESA Space Summit in Seville meeting in November 2023. Since the launch of the Charter at ESA’s Space Summit in Seville, Spain, in November 2023, more than 100 organisations from around the world, including national space agencies, leading satellite manufacturers, space start-ups and astronomical societies, have confirmed their intent to sign. In addition to the 12 countries, the European Space Agency also signed the Zero Debris Charter as an International Organisation (IGO). Countries Include in Zero Debris Charter are Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
Significance of Zero Debris Carbon
It will solidify their commitment to the long-term sustainability of human activities in Earth orbit. class=”article__block”>
Estimation of European space Agency (ESA)
ESA estimates that there are currently more than one million pieces of space debris larger than one cm in Earth orbit. Each of these objects is capable of causing catastrophic damage to space assets. If quick and decisive action is not taken to improve the sustainability of space activities, the exponential growth of this debris population will pose an ever-increasing hazard to satellites and astronauts and could render some orbits entirely unusable.
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12 Countries Include in Zero Debris Charter: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.