Protecting the LEO environment

Abstract

The low Earth orbit (LEO) operating environment currently includes ∼4000 operating satellites plus ∼20,000 tracked debris objects. Proposals have been submitted to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission that would add eleven constellations containing nearly 60,000 operating satellites to the LEO regime, plus thousands of additional satellites that would be added and disposed as these constellations age. LEO also has over 100 very large, dead satellites and rocket stages, and a collision with any one of these could double the number of objects in this environment. This paper gives an overview of how large constellations might affect the space environment and discusses regulations and best practices for how LEO satellites, including constellation satellites, should be managed and disposed. The paper also considers two additional factors: 1) the importance of active debris removal, which would remove very large derelict objects already in LEO, and 2) limiting the cumulative hazards associated with reentry disposal of large numbers of constellation satellites. Suggested best practices for satellite operations and recommendations for policy makers and regulators are included.