International

Policy

United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)

United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) is the United Nations office tasked with advancing international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, including space sustainability and space debris policy. UNOOSA acts as secretariat to the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), which develops international space governance norms and voluntary guidelines.
UNOOSA’s work encompasses policy, capacity‑building, awareness, and regulatory guidance to ensure outer space remains sustainable, open, and beneficial for all countries, irrespective of their development status.
UNOOSA provides resources, publications, and data repositories to support understanding and implementation of space sustainability principles by member States, international organizations, and private entities.

Space Debris as a Global Concern

Space debris refers broadly to defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, fragmentation debris, and other objects orbiting Earth that no longer serve any useful function but pose collision risks to operational spacecraft.
UNOOSA recognizes space debris as a critical risk to the long‑term sustainability of space activities, threatening spacecraft safety, human spaceflight, and services such as communications, navigation, and Earth observation.
The prevalence of space debris has grown significantly in recent decades due to increased launch activity and fragmentation events, motivating international dialogue on mitigation and sustainability.

Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines of COPUOS

UNOOSA, through COPUOS, coordinated the development of the Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines to assist States and organizations in reducing the creation of new debris.
These Mitigation Guidelines were endorsed by the UN General Assembly and are intended to guide voluntary implementation by member States through national mechanisms.
The guidelines recommend that space debris mitigation measures be incorporated into mission planning, spacecraft design, launch operations, and end‑of‑life disposal practices.
States and international organizations are urged to take measures to prevent debris release during normal operations and minimize potential break‑ups in orbit due to failures or explosions.
The guidelines also emphasize passivation of residual energy sources, such as propellant and batteries, to prevent fragmentations at end‑of‑life.
Member States should implement these guidelines to the greatest extent feasible, though they remain non‑binding under international law.

Guidelines for the Long‑Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities (LTS Guidelines)

In June 2019, COPUOS adopted the Guidelines for the Long‑Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities (“LTS Guidelines”), consisting of 21 voluntary guidelines designed to promote sustainable space operations and reduce risks including debris accumulation.
The United Nations General Assembly has repeatedly welcomed the adoption and encouraged voluntary implementation of these LTS Guidelines through resolutions such as A/RES/74/82 and subsequent annual resolutions.
The LTS Guidelines reflect a global consensus that orbital space must be maintained as a safe and stable environment for peaceful purposes, equitable access, and exploration by future generations.

Structure of the LTS Guidelines

The LTS Guidelines are organized into four thematic sections addressing key aspects of sustainable space activities:
- Section A: Policy and Regulatory Frameworks
- Section B: Safety of Space Operations
- Section C: International Cooperation, Capacity Building, and Awareness
- Section D: Scientific and Technical Research and Development
Section A encourages States to adopt or revise national space laws and regulations that incorporate sustainability and debris mitigation practices, including licensing, authorization, and supervision of space activities.
Section B highlights the importance of operational safety measures such as conjunction assessments, collision risk analyses, information sharing on orbital events, and precautions for controlled re‑entry of objects.
Section C promotes information exchange, international capacity building, and awareness‑raising to assist both established and emerging space actors in implementing sustainability practices.
Section D emphasizes ongoing research and technological development to improve debris mitigation, space weather modeling, space situational awareness, and other technical aspects related to sustainability.

Implementation and Member State Actions

Although the LTS Guidelines are non‑binding, UNOOSA and COPUOS encourage Member States to implement them through national space governance frameworks, regulations, and licensing requirements.
Member States are encouraged to establish mechanisms for conjunction assessment and regular reporting on implementation measures to improve collective understanding of orbital sustainability.
States can incentivize development of debris mitigation technologies, including active debris removal, through public‑private partnerships and national regulatory incentives.
Information sharing is a cross‑cutting element of successful implementation; States and organizations are urged to exchange experiences, operational data, and best practices to support guideline uptake.

UNOOSA Tools and Resources

UNOOSA maintains the Long‑term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities Information Repository, an open‑source database aimed at enhancing transparency, capacity, and knowledge sharing about national and institutional implementation experiences related to sustainability.
UNOOSA has developed free e‑learning courses covering the LTS Guidelines, accessible in multiple languages, to educate learners on space sustainability fundamentals and implementation challenges.
The Office also provides case study templates and platforms for States and entities to submit practical examples of guideline implementation, which help create a growing evidence base for good practices.

Capacity Building and Awareness‑Raising Initiatives

UNOOSA leads awareness‑raising and capacity‑building efforts to assist emerging spacefaring nations and stakeholders in understanding the importance of sustainable space operations, orbital safety, and debris risk mitigation.
UNOOSA’s capacity building includes workshops, expert events, stakeholder engagement panels, and tailored programs to help States integrate sustainability into national space frameworks.
These activities emphasize inclusive participation by both governmental and non‑governmental space actors to foster a community committed to preserving the space environment.

UNOOSA and Space Traffic Safety

UNOOSA collaborates with international organizations and industry groups to further discussions on space traffic coordination and share data related to conjunctions and debris risk, supporting broader space situational awareness efforts.
While not operating its own surveillance networks, UNOOSA provides a platform where States and organizations can align on data sharing and risk communication methods.

Integration with International Space Law

UNOOSA’s space sustainability guidelines complement foundational international treaties such as the Outer Space Treaty, Liability Convention, and Registration Convention by providing detailed operational principles that support peaceful and responsible space use.
These treaties impose general obligations, such as avoiding harmful interference and bearing international responsibility for national space activities, but do not create specific debris mitigation obligations; the LTS Guidelines help fill this governance gap.

Emerging Debris Policy Topics and Future Directions

Discussions are ongoing within COPUOS and UNOOSA forums about how to evolve sustainability governance to address new challenges including large constellations, active debris removal strategies, space weather effects, and high‑altitude orbital congestion.

UNOOSA and partners are exploring mechanisms to encourage tech innovation, such as ADR systems, on‑orbit servicing, and enhanced SSA technologies, recognizing their importance for future debris mitigation landscapes.

International

Policy

United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)

UNOOSA’s work encompasses policy, capacity‑building, awareness, and regulatory guidance to ensure outer space remains sustainable, open, and beneficial for all countries, irrespective of their development status.

UNOOSA provides resources, publications, and data repositories to support understanding and implementation of space sustainability principles by member States, international organizations, and private entities.

Space Debris as a Global Concern

Space debris refers broadly to defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, fragmentation debris, and other objects orbiting Earth that no longer serve any useful function but pose collision risks to operational spacecraft.

UNOOSA recognizes space debris as a critical risk to the long‑term sustainability of space activities, threatening spacecraft safety, human spaceflight, and services such as communications, navigation, and Earth observation.

The prevalence of space debris has grown significantly in recent decades due to increased launch activity and fragmentation events, motivating international dialogue on mitigation and sustainability.

Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines of COPUOS

UNOOSA, through COPUOS, coordinated the development of the Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines to assist States and organizations in reducing the creation of new debris.

These Mitigation Guidelines were endorsed by the UN General Assembly and are intended to guide voluntary implementation by member States through national mechanisms.

The guidelines recommend that space debris mitigation measures be incorporated into mission planning, spacecraft design, launch operations, and end‑of‑life disposal practices.

States and international organizations are urged to take measures to prevent debris release during normal operations and minimize potential break‑ups in orbit due to failures or explosions.

The guidelines also emphasize passivation of residual energy sources, such as propellant and batteries, to prevent fragmentations at end‑of‑life.

Member States should implement these guidelines to the greatest extent feasible, though they remain non‑binding under international law.

Guidelines for the Long‑Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities (LTS Guidelines)

In June 2019, COPUOS adopted the Guidelines for the Long‑Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities (“LTS Guidelines”), consisting of 21 voluntary guidelines designed to promote sustainable space operations and reduce risks including debris accumulation.

The United Nations General Assembly has repeatedly welcomed the adoption and encouraged voluntary implementation of these LTS Guidelines through resolutions such as A/RES/74/82 and subsequent annual resolutions.

The LTS Guidelines reflect a global consensus that orbital space must be maintained as a safe and stable environment for peaceful purposes, equitable access, and exploration by future generations.

Structure of the LTS Guidelines

The LTS Guidelines are organized into four thematic sections addressing key aspects of sustainable space activities:

Section A: Policy and Regulatory Frameworks

Section B: Safety of Space Operations

Section C: International Cooperation, Capacity Building, and Awareness

Section D: Scientific and Technical Research and Development

Section A encourages States to adopt or revise national space laws and regulations that incorporate sustainability and debris mitigation practices, including licensing, authorization, and supervision of space activities.

Section B highlights the importance of operational safety measures such as conjunction assessments, collision risk analyses, information sharing on orbital events, and precautions for controlled re‑entry of objects.

Section C promotes information exchange, international capacity building, and awareness‑raising to assist both established and emerging space actors in implementing sustainability practices.

Section D emphasizes ongoing research and technological development to improve debris mitigation, space weather modeling, space situational awareness, and other technical aspects related to sustainability.

Implementation and Member State Actions

Although the LTS Guidelines are non‑binding, UNOOSA and COPUOS encourage Member States to implement them through national space governance frameworks, regulations, and licensing requirements.

Member States are encouraged to establish mechanisms for conjunction assessment and regular reporting on implementation measures to improve collective understanding of orbital sustainability.

States can incentivize development of debris mitigation technologies, including active debris removal, through public‑private partnerships and national regulatory incentives.

Information sharing is a cross‑cutting element of successful implementation; States and organizations are urged to exchange experiences, operational data, and best practices to support guideline uptake.

UNOOSA Tools and Resources

UNOOSA maintains the Long‑term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities Information Repository, an open‑source database aimed at enhancing transparency, capacity, and knowledge sharing about national and institutional implementation experiences related to sustainability.

UNOOSA has developed free e‑learning courses covering the LTS Guidelines, accessible in multiple languages, to educate learners on space sustainability fundamentals and implementation challenges.

The Office also provides case study templates and platforms for States and entities to submit practical examples of guideline implementation, which help create a growing evidence base for good practices.

Capacity Building and Awareness‑Raising Initiatives

UNOOSA leads awareness‑raising and capacity‑building efforts to assist emerging spacefaring nations and stakeholders in understanding the importance of sustainable space operations, orbital safety, and debris risk mitigation.

UNOOSA’s capacity building includes workshops, expert events, stakeholder engagement panels, and tailored programs to help States integrate sustainability into national space frameworks.

These activities emphasize inclusive participation by both governmental and non‑governmental space actors to foster a community committed to preserving the space environment.

UNOOSA and Space Traffic Safety

UNOOSA collaborates with international organizations and industry groups to further discussions on space traffic coordination and share data related to conjunctions and debris risk, supporting broader space situational awareness efforts.

While not operating its own surveillance networks, UNOOSA provides a platform where States and organizations can align on data sharing and risk communication methods.

Integration with International Space Law

UNOOSA’s space sustainability guidelines complement foundational international treaties such as the Outer Space Treaty, Liability Convention, and Registration Convention by providing detailed operational principles that support peaceful and responsible space use.

These treaties impose general obligations, such as avoiding harmful interference and bearing international responsibility for national space activities, but do not create specific debris mitigation obligations; the LTS Guidelines help fill this governance gap.

Emerging Debris Policy Topics and Future Directions

Discussions are ongoing within COPUOS and UNOOSA forums about how to evolve sustainability governance to address new challenges including large constellations, active debris removal strategies, space weather effects, and high‑altitude orbital congestion.

UNOOSA and partners are exploring mechanisms to encourage tech innovation, such as ADR systems, on‑orbit servicing, and enhanced SSA technologies, recognizing their importance for future debris mitigation landscapes.