The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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Research results are regularly communicated at the quadrennial series of ESA-organised European Conferences on Space Debris, and at dedicated sessions of the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) and Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) Scientific Assemblies.
Since 1993, the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) has conducted annual meetings to discuss research results in the areas of measurements, modelling, protection and mitigation.
The IADC is internationally recognised as a space debris 'centre of competence' and influences space debris mitigation activities at the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space − Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (UNCOPUOS - STSC) and at meetings of the International Standardisation Organisation − Subcommittee for Space Systems and Operations (ISO-TC20/SC14).
Today, the global dimension of the space debris problem is internationally recognised, and space system designers, space operators and policy makers share the common view that active control of the space debris environment will be necessary to sustain safe space flight activities into the future.