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Space Policy Directive-3 Calls for U.S. to Manage Space Debris

Accepted submission by takyon at 2018-06-20 04:33:22
Techonomics

NASA Administrator expresses support for Space Policy Directive-3 [spaceflightinsider.com]

With the threat of space debris destroying satellites, crewed spacecraft and even the International Space Station increasing, processes have been initiated to help alleviate and prevent this threat. NASA's new Administrator Jim Bridenstine made several statements about the new Space Policy Directive-3 [whitehouse.gov], which was signed by President Trump. During the June 18, 2018, meeting of the National Space Council, Trump signed SPD-3, which directs the U.S. to lead the management of space traffic and mitigate the effects of space debris.

[...] This comes less than a month after the signing of SPD-2, which called for the reform of the United States' commercial space regulatory framework. Additionally, SPD-1 was signed [spaceflightinsider.com] in December 2017, which instructed NASA to return U.S. astronauts to the Moon with the eventual goal of human flights to Mars.

[...] One of the main features of SPD-3 is the management of space debris. It calls for the U.S. to utilize government and commercial technologies to track and monitor debris and set new guidelines for satellite for satellite design and operation.

Additionally, it calls for the update of the U.S. government's Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices [iadc-online.org], which currently states that spacecraft and upper stages should be designed to eliminate or minimize debris released during normal operations. Additionally, any debris larger than five millimeters that is expected to remain in orbit for more than 25 years is to be justified on the basis of cost and mission requirements.

NASA Administrator statement [nasa.gov].

Related: President Trump Signs Space Policy Directive 1 [soylentnews.org]
2020s to Become the Decade of Lunar Re-Exploration [soylentnews.org]
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine Serious About Returning to the Moon [soylentnews.org]
Jeff Bezos Details Moon Settlement Ambitions in Interview [soylentnews.org]


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