Fly Your Satellite Zero Space Debris Policy

Responsible use of space is a fundamental principle of ESA activities, including educational initiatives like the Fly Your Satellite! programme. Therefore, teams participating in Fly Your Satellite! must comply with ESA's Space Debris Mitigation guidelines, recommendations, and regulations.

These guidelines ensure that space activities do not generate additional space debris, whether intentionally or unintentionally. They also mandate that all space objects are safely removed from operational orbits within an appropriate time frame. Measures are taken to prevent satellites from breaking up in orbit, releasing any materials or posing risks to other spacecraft, and to ensure their safe re-entry, mitigating risk to people on the ground.

Participation in the Fly Your Satellite! programme helps ensure that space debris is not generated by satellites that might fail upon launch (commonly referred to as "dead on arrival"). Through meticulous project review by ESA experts and rigorous testing in ESA facilities, the likelihood of mission success for these educational projects is significantly enhanced.

Every satellite launched as part of Fly Your Satellite! undergoes a Flight Acceptance Review, which includes an assessment of its Space Debris Mitigation approach. This document is also evaluated by an Independent Space Safety Office. A satellite can only be launched after successfully completing this review and receiving endorsement from the Independent Space Safety Office.

The student participants of these projects will benefit greatly from the future availability of key operational orbits and a well-managed space environment. Thus, space debris mitigation is a crucial aspect of their future access to space. More information can be found here.