Identifying critical LEO kinetic space safety activities

Companies and organizations have proposed best practices for space safety, policymakers are emphasizing the importance of space sustainability, regulators are re-examining satellite licensing conditions, and many member states of the UN COPUOS have endorsed guidelines for the long-term sustainability of outer space activities. In parallel, these organizations and others are engaging in a healthy conversation on the magnitude of the issue, developing proposals for near- and long-term solutions and addressing the challenges of gaining widespread acceptance. Space safety and sustainability have galvanized stakeholder communities, but specific, meaningful solutions remain largely elusive, despite frequent webinars and conferences dedicated to the issue. The authors gathered to examine specific solutions and pragmatic actions to enhance LEO kinetic space safety (i.e., all measures to minimize collision risk for current and future space systems). A forcing function for this paper was the LEO Kinetic Space Safety Workshop held in May 2022 in Lausanne, Switzerland. This event scrutinized individual space safety activities by benefit (positive outcomes for space safety), maturity (readiness of the solution for implementation), and cost (resources required to develop and implement a solution). However, while the authors used this event as a starting point for discussions, we were clearly focused on creating a forward-leaning position paper with specific recommendations for the priority of kinetic space safety activities. This paper focuses on communicating to operators, developers, space agencies, regulators, academia, and others to advance toward a safer LEO environment. It is hoped that this document will serve as a roadmap for prioritizing kinetic space safety activities by the global space community.