ISO 24113:2019

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 24113
Third edition
2019-07
Space systems — Space debris
mitigation requirements
Systèmes spatiaux — Exigences de mitigation des débris spatiaux
Reference number
©
ISO 2019
© ISO 2019
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ii © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Symbols and abbreviated terms . 5
4.1 Symbols . 5
4.2 Abbreviated terms . 5
5 Protected regions . 5
5.1 General . 5
5.2 LEO protected region . 6
5.3 GEO protected region . 6
6 Technical requirements . 6
6.1 Avoiding the intentional release of space debris into Earth orbit during normal
operations . 6
6.1.1 General. 6
6.1.2 Space debris from pyrotechnics and solid rocket motors . 6
6.2 Avoiding break-ups in Earth orbit . 7
6.2.1 Intentional break-up . 7
6.2.2 Accidental break-up caused by an on-board source of energy . 7
6.2.3 Accidental break-up caused by a collision . 7
6.3 Disposal of a spacecraft or launch vehicle orbital stage after the end of mission so
as to minimize interference with the protected regions . 7
6.3.1 Provisions for successful disposal . 7
6.3.2 Disposal to minimize interference with the GEO protected region . 8
6.3.3 Disposal to minimize interference with the LEO protected region . 8
6.3.4 Re-entry . 9
7 Planning requirements . 9
7.1 General . 9
7.2 Space debris mitigation plan . 9
Annex A (informative) Post-launch life cycle phases of a launch vehicle or spacecraft .11
Bibliography .13
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
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electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
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.org/iso/foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 20, Aircraft and space vehicles,
Subcommittee SC 14, Space systems and operations.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 24113:2011), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— many of the existing requirements and terminology definitions have been modified, and new
requirements have been added for the purpose of:
— limiting the total number of launch vehicle orbital stages and space debris objects left in Earth
orbit by a launch vehicle during normal operations,
— limiting the ejection of slag debris from solid rocket motors in low Earth orbit,
— avoiding accidental break-up caused by a collision, and
— limiting the total probability of successful disposal of a spacecraft or launch vehicle orbital
stage to be at least 0,9;
— a note has also been added advising of the existence of a commonly-used threshold for the expected
number of casualties during a re-entry.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/members .html.
iv © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

Introduction
Space debris comprises all objects of human origin in Earth orbit or re-entering the atmosphere,
including fragments and elements thereof, that no longer serve a useful purpose. The growing
population of these objects poses an increasing hazard to mankind’s use of space. In response to this
problem, there is international consensus that space activities need to be managed to minimize collision
risks among space objects and casualty risks associated with atmospheric re-entry. This consensus is
embodied in space debris mitigation guidelines published by organizations such as the International
[1] [2]
Telecommunication Union (ITU) , the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC)
[3] [4]
and the United Nations (UN) . The transformation of debris mitigation guidelines into engineering
practice is a key purpose of this document.
[5]
The importance of this document can be seen within the context of four UN treaties that were
established under the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS) to
govern the involvement of nations in space activities. These are the Outer Space Treaty, the Liability
Convention, the Registration Convention and the Rescue Agreement. Through some of these treaties, a
Launching State has total liability for damage caused by its spacecraft or launch vehicle orbital stages
(or any parts thereof) on the surface of the Earth or to aircraft in flight, as well as in outer space where
fault can be proven.
All countries are encouraged to abide by these international agreements in order not to endanger or
constrain existing and future activities in space. A Launching State can choose to appoint licensing or
regulatory authorities to administer its approach for complying with the above-mentioned UN treaties.
In several Launching States, these authorities have implemented national legislation to enforce the
UN treaties. Such legislation can include the mitigation of space debris. Some Launching States meet
their obligations by appointing non-regulatory government bodies, such as national space agencies, to
provide the necessary guidelines or requirements, including those for space debris mitigation.
The general aim of space debris mitigation is to reduce the growth of space debris by ensuring that
spacecraft and launch vehicle orbital stages are designed, operated and disposed of in a manner that
prevents them from generating debris throughout their orbit lifetime. Another aim of space debris
mitigation is to ensure that space objects re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere cause no harm. These
aims are achieved by the following actions:
a) avoiding the intentional release of space debris into Earth orbit during normal operations;
b) avoiding break-ups in Earth orbit;
c) removing spacecraft and launch vehicle orbital stages from protected orbital regions after the end
of mission;
d) performing the necessary actions to minimize the risk of collision with other space objects;
e) reducing the risks associated with re-entry, e.g. to people, property and the Earth's environment.
Such actions are especially important for a spacecraft or launch vehicle orbital stage that has one or
more of the following characteristics:
— has a large collision cross-section;
— remains in orbit for many years;
— operates near manned mission orbital regions;
— operates in highly utilized regions, such as protected regions;
— operates in regions of high debris population.
This document transforms these objectives into a set of high-level debris mitigation requirements.
Methods and processes to enable conformance with these requirements are provided in a series of
lower-level implementation standards.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 24113:2019(E)
Space systems — Space debris mitigation requirements
1 Scope
This document defines the primary space debris mitigation requirements applicable to all elements
of unmanned systems launched into, or passing through, near-Earth space, including launch vehicle
orbital stages, operating spacecraft and any objects released as part of normal operations.
The requirements contained in this document are intended to reduce the growth of space debris by
ensuring that spacecraft and launch vehicle orbital stages are designed, operated and disposed of in a
manner that prevents them from generating debris throughout their orbit lifetime. The requirements
are also intended to reduce the casualty risk on ground associated with atmospheric re-entry of space
objects.
This document is the top-level standard in a family of standards addressing space debris mitigation.
It is the main interface for the user, bridging between the primary sp
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