Debris Mitigation Guidelines

Debris Mitigation Guidelines are a set of recommendations aimed at minimizing space junk—old satellites, spent rocket stages, and other debris orbiting Earth. These guidelines encourage spacecraft designers and operators to plan for the safe disposal of their objects at the end of their missions, such as moving them to lower orbits where they will burn up in the atmosphere. They also promote designs that are less likely to break apart in space. Adhering to these guidelines helps protect active satellites and the International Space Station, ensuring a safer environment in space for future missions.