Zero Debris Charter gains global momentum

Zero Debris Charter gains global momentum
by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) Oct 16, 2024

The issue of space debris is a challenge that demands a coordinated international response. In a significant development, New Zealand and Mexico became the first non-European nations to sign the Zero Debris Charter, underscoring the growing global commitment to enhancing space safety and sustainability.

"The Zero Debris Charter signals Europe's unwavering commitment to be a world leader in reducing and remediating space debris, fostering collective action by a large community of space actors around the world," stated Dr. Salvador Landeros Ayala, General Director at the Mexican Space Agency.

"Mexico has not yet adopted a national regulatory framework on space debris mitigation. However, Mexico has always expressed to the relevant high-level bodies its work to develop mechanisms that will materialize the sustainability of our future activities in outer space."

Since its introduction in November 2023, the Zero Debris Charter has rapidly attracted a diverse and expanding group of international participants dedicated to promoting a sustainable space environment.

The initiative gained further traction at the 2024 International Astronautical Congress, where an additional 23 organizations joined the Charter. The total now includes representatives from fifteen countries and over one hundred companies, research institutions, and international organizations, with many others expressing their intent to participate.

The Zero Debris Charter serves as a collaborative framework within the global space community, laying out broad guiding principles and shared objectives to achieve Zero Debris by 2030.

Signing the Charter marks the beginning of a broader effort. The Charter's goals and guiding principles are being transformed into concrete and measurable technical targets through community-driven crowdsourcing. This collaborative approach aims to develop the innovative technologies required to meet these ambitious, yet attainable goals. More information about supporting the Zero Debris Charter is available online.

In the accompanying photo, from left to right: Salvador Landeros, General Director of the Mexican Space Agency, and Iain Cossar, Head of the New Zealand Space Agency, with Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General, and ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano in the background.