GB/T 34513-2026Space debris mitigation requirements (English PDF)

Foreword

This document complies with the provisions of GB/T 1.1-2020 "Standardization Work Guidelines Part 1: Structure and Drafting Rules of Standardization Documents".

Drafting.

This document replaces GB/T 34513-2017 "Requirements for Space Debris Mitigation". Compared with GB/T 34513-2017, except for structural adjustments and Aside from editorial changes, the main technical changes are as follows.

a) The description of the "Scope" has been changed (see Chapter 1, Chapter 1 of the 2017 edition);

b) Added terms such as "space object", "launch vehicle", "Earth orbit", "mission", "mission life extension", "disposal maneuver", "passivation", and "subjected".

"Controlled re-entry" and "Expected casualties per re-entry" (see 3.1, 3.3, 3.8, 3.11, 3.15, 3.17, 3.22, 3.24, 3.25);

c) The terminology "launch vehicle orbital stage", "protected area", "normal operation", "mission termination", "end of life", "disposal phase", and "orbital stage" have been changed.

Definitions of "lifespan", "probability of successful disposal", "disintegration", "reentry", and "reentry casualty risk" (see 3.4, 3.10, 3.12, 3.13, 3.14,...).

Versions 3.18, 3.19, 3.20, 3.21, 3.23, 3.25; and versions 3.9, 3.14, 3.11, 3.7, 3.6, 3.5, 3.12, 3.13, 3.2, 3.15 (2017 edition).

d) A "General Provisions" section has been added (see Chapter 5);

e) The textual descriptions and graphic representations of the Earth Space Protection Area have been revised, and the two-dimensional diagrams have been changed to three-dimensional diagrams (see 6.1 and Figure 1, 2017).

(5.1 and Figure 1 of the 2018 edition)

f) Increased limits on the number of debris generated during single-satellite and multiple-satellite launches (see 7.1.2.1);

g) Increased requirements for status monitoring and emergency response during spacecraft operation to prevent accidental disintegration (see 7.2.2.3 and 7.2.2.4);

h) Added passivation requirements for unsuccessful controlled reentry (see 7.2.2.5 and 7.2.2.6);

i) Added content regarding "collision leading to accidental disintegration" (see 7.2.3);

(See 7.3.1.3~7.3.1.6);

k) Added a provision regarding the starting time of the 25-year orbital life in the LEO region (see 7.3.3.1);

l) The option "Allow the disposal of LEO spacecraft above the LEO protected area" has been removed [see 2017 version 6.3.3.2].

m) The clause hierarchy for re-entry risk has been changed (see 7.4, 6.3.4 in the 2017 version).

(n) Increased requirements for pre-launch reentry safety risk assessment (see 7.4.2);

o) The value for acceptable number of casualties at reentry risk has been changed (see 7.4.3, 6.3.4.2 in the 2017 edition);

p) Added requirements for the development of space debris mitigation schemes (see 8.1), scheme content requirements (see 8.2), and scheme management requirements (see 8.3).

This document is modified to adopt ISO 24113:2023 "Space systems - requirements for space debris mitigation".

This document has undergone the following structural adjustments compared to ISO 24113:2023.

---A chapter on normative references has been added;

---The order of all terms has been adjusted;

---7.1.1 corresponds to 7.1.1.1 in ISO 24113:2023;

---7.1.2 corresponds to 7.1.1.2 and 7.1.1.3 of ISO 24113:2023;

---7.1.3 corresponds to 7.1.2 of ISO 24113:2023;

---7.4 corresponds to 7.3.4 of ISO 24113:2023;

---8.1 corresponds to 8.1 and 8.2.1 of ISO 24113:2023;

---8.2 corresponds to 8.2.2 of ISO 24113:2023;

---8.3 corresponds to 8.2.3 and 8.2.4 of ISO 24113:2023.

---Added normative reference to GB/T 45621-2025 (see Chapter 3) to adapt to my country's technical conditions;

---The headings of sections 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, and 7.4 have been changed to suit my country's technical conditions;

---The headings of sections 8.1, 8.2, and 8.3 have been changed to suit our country's technical conditions.

The following editorial changes have been made to this document.

---To align with existing standards, the standard's name has been changed to "Requirements for Space Debris Mitigation";

---Informative references have been added to GB/T 32295, GB/T 38194, GB/T 43224, GB/T 40536, and GB/T 32308.

GB/T 45737, ISO 27875;

---Added "Incentives for Space Debris Mitigation" (see Appendix B).

Please note that some content in this document may involve patents. The issuing organization of this document assumes no responsibility for identifying patents.

This document was proposed and is under the jurisdiction of the National Technical Committee on Standardization of Aerospace Technology and Its Applications (SAC/TC425).

Introduction

Decommissioned and defunct spacecraft, debris resulting from disintegration or explosions caused by residual fuel, and micro-particles produced by the combustion of solid fuel.

Small metal oxide particles and particles eroded and detached from the material surface, as well as various waste products generated by space activities, etc.

The vast majority of space debris cannot fall to the Earth's surface or move away from Earth's orbit in the short term; instead, it tends to accumulate densely over a long period of time.

Operating in Earth's space orbit (especially the LEO and GEO orbital regions with the highest utilization), they occupy a large amount of space orbital resources.

High-speed space debris possesses immense energy; even a small impact from it can cause a fatal malfunction to a spacecraft in orbit.

It could disintegrate, generating more space debris and threatening the safety of the space station and astronauts in orbit.

To some extent, space debris is similar to the various types of waste generated in people's daily lives and work, impacting the atmosphere, rivers, soil, and oceans.

This has caused severe environmental pollution, endangering human health and survival. Similarly, space debris is man-made space junk, and its quantity...

The increasing quantity of space debris poses a serious threat to normal human space activities, and the threat of space debris is indiscriminate of nationality or object (potentially endangering...).

This concerns not only any country's spacecraft in orbit or ground personnel/facilities, but also the public safety and sustainable development of space for all humanity.

Limiting the generation of space debris, maintaining the normal order of the space environment and the safety of space assets, and ensuring the long-term sustainable use of space are precisely the goals.

It is a shared responsibility and obligation of all humankind.

Currently, in response to this issue, there is a broad international consensus that space activities need to be effectively managed.

Minimize the generation and threat of space debris. These international consensuses are fully reflected in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and inter-agency space debris...

The International Agency for Standardization (IADC) and other organizations have successively issued guidelines on space debris mitigation.

The ISO has translated these debris mitigation guidelines into a series of actionable engineering practice standards (such as ISO 24113, Space Debris Mitigation).

Require").

The national standard "Requirements for Space Debris Mitigation" was formulated to facilitate better implementation by relevant enterprises and institutions in my country participating in space activities.

Space debris mitigation efforts will better align with the international community; at the same time, they will also facilitate my country's international cooperation in the field of space debris mitigation.

The overall goal of space debris mitigation is to slow the growth trend of space debris, and the main principle is to reduce the orbital distance of spacecraft and launch vehicles.

The goal is to prevent debris generation throughout the orbital lifespan through proper design, operation, and handling. This is primarily achieved through [various methods/measures].

The following measures will be taken to achieve this.

a) Avoid actively releasing space debris during normal on-orbit operation;

b) Avoid in-orbit disintegration;

c) After the mission is completed, remove the spacecraft and launch vehicle orbital stage from the protected orbital area;

d) Take necessary measures to minimize the risk of collision with other objects in space;

e) Reduce re-entry risks, such as risks to people, property and the Earth's environment.

The above measures are particularly important for orbital stages of spacecraft or launch vehicles that possess one or more of the following characteristics.

---Has a large collision cross-section;

---The track has been preserved for many years;

---Operating in an orbital region close to that of a manned spacecraft;

---Operating in high-utilization orbital areas, such as LEO protected areas, GEO protected areas, and MEO navigation satellite orbital areas;

--- Operating in a high debris density orbital region.

This document is the top-level standard in the field of space debris mitigation, serving as the primary interface for users, and will be integrated with a series of supporting standards (which specify...).

Detailed requirements and specific implementation measures together constitute a complete standard system for space debris mitigation.

Space debris mitigation requirements

1 Scope

This document outlines the general requirements for space debris mitigation, including limiting the intentional release of space debris during orbit, preventing on-orbit disintegration, and implementing...

This document applies to all unmanned space systems (including unmanned spacecraft and launch vehicles) entering or traversing near-Earth space under mission regulations.

Space debris mitigation efforts are carried out at all stages, including planning, design, production, testing, launch, on-orbit operation, and decommissioning.

2 Normative references

The contents of the following documents, through normative references within the text, constitute essential provisions of this document. Dated citations are not included.

For references to documents, only the version corresponding to that date applies to this document; for undated references, the latest version (including all amendments) applies.

This document.

GB/T 45621-2025 Space Terminology. Space Debris

3 Terms and Definitions

The terms and definitions defined in GB/T 45621-2025, as well as the following terms and definitions, apply to this document.

spaceobject

Natural objects (celestial bodies) and man-made objects that move along orbits in the universe.

[Source. GB/T 45621-2025, 3.1] 3.2 spacecraft an object orbiting in space to perform a specific function or task (e.g., communication, navigation, or Earth observation).

Note. Spacecraft that can no longer complete their designated mission are considered to be inoperable; spacecraft in backup mode awaiting reactivation are considered to be functional.

Normal.

[Source. GB/T 45621-2025, 3.13] launch vehicle Launcher A rocket that delivers payloads from the Earth's surface or air into space orbit, or a rocket that alters the trajectory of a payload.

[Source. GB/T 45621-2025, 3.3.4, with modifications] 3.4 Part of the launch vehicle that enters Earth orbit.

Note. The orbital stage of a launch vehicle is primarily used to provide the necessary thrust during specific phases of the launch vehicle's flight to achieve Earth orbit; other parts of the launch vehicle do not provide thrust.

Components that remain part of the launch vehicle's orbital stage during their attachment to the launch vehicle's orbital stage, such as jettisonable propellant tanks and multi-satellite adapters, are considered part of the launch vehicle's orbital stage.

Instruments, etc.