An exclusive interview with Elina Morozova, Executive Director, Intersputnik exploring the challenges of orbital sustainability, space debris mitigation and the importance of international collaboration in safeguarding space for future generations.
Gulraiz Khalid: As satellite deployments accelerate, what do you see as the most urgent sustainability challenges facing the space industry today?
Elina Morozova: Satellite deployment is expanding connectivity and other space-based services, while placing greater pressure on the orbital environment and shared space resources. The environmental implications also extend to Earth, with the atmospheric effects of launches and spacecraft re-entries receiving growing scientific attention. The challenge is to accommodate this growth while addressing its environmental effects and ensuring the rational, efficient, economical and equitable use of radio-frequency spectrum and associated satellite orbits. Decisions concerning the scale, design and operation of satellite systems today will shape opportunities for other operators and future generations.
Another priority is improving space traffic coordination. As orbital activity becomes more intensive, timely and reliable information sharing between operators is increasingly important. Recent developments, including the establishment of the Expert Group on Space Situational Awareness within the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and the launch of the UN Satellite Operator Contact Hub, demonstrate growing international attention to the practical arrangements needed for safer space operations. Satellite operators and industry associations are also developing operational practices and information-sharing arrangements that help translate international cooperation into practical results. Such cooperation should accommodate different national regulatory approaches and legitimate sensitivities concerning the scope and conditions of information sharing.
GK: How is Intersputnik working with its member countries and industry partners to encourage responsible use of orbital and spectrum resources?
EM: As an intergovernmental organization, Intersputnik provides a platform for cooperation among member countries with different national priorities, capabilities and regulatory frameworks. Through its participation in both COPUOS and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Intersputnik can share information on relevant developments across these communities. Capacity-building and knowledge exchange are particularly important and remain in demand, including through seminars and training programmes organized together with international and industry partners.
In its satellite communications activities, Intersputnik works with partners on joint projects, pooling satellite capacity from different operators and combining it with available orbit and frequency resources to make more efficient use of both. Contractual arrangements provide another practical mechanism: Intersputnik’s agreements with satellite operators establish obligations concerning space safety, including the safe co-location and operation of satellites using its orbit and frequency resources.
Intersputnik also participates in international sustainability initiatives. The Organization has contributed its experience to the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs’ stakeholder study on the implementation of the COPUOS Guidelines for the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities and was among the early signatories of the Space Industry Debris Statement. These activities complement its operational work and cooperation with member countries.
GK: Space debris is becoming an increasingly important concern. What role should satellite operators and international organizations play in improving debris mitigation and end-of-life practices?
EM: Satellite operators have a direct role in preventing the creation of space debris. Protecting the shared orbital environment is also in their own interest, given the value of the assets they operate. Their substantial efforts to improve space safety deserve recognition. Significant progress has been made through improved satellite design, collision avoidance, passivation and end-of-life disposal practices, helping to prevent avoidable debris generation. Mitigation measures should be considered throughout the entire lifecycle of a satellite system, with particular attention to the reliability of planned disposal operations.
International organizations can support these efforts by facilitating cooperation, developing common guidance and sharing technical experience. Through COPUOS and other international fora, States have agreed on a substantial range of guidelines concerning debris mitigation and long-term sustainability, complemented by technical guidance from the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee. Many of these measures have already been incorporated into national regulations as binding requirements for operators. Further development of international guidance and more consistent national implementation can help reduce regulatory fragmentation and create a more predictable legal environment for the industry.
Looking ahead, in-orbit servicing and active debris removal offer additional opportunities to improve space sustainability. Servicing can extend the useful life of satellites, while debris removal can address objects already left in orbit. Both require safe proximity operations, reliable communications and appropriate regulatory arrangements. The ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) is studying spectrum needs for these operations, while COPUOS is discussing related legal questions, including authorization and liability.
GK: Looking ahead, what forms of international cooperation will be essential to ensure that space remains accessible and sustainable for future generations?
EM: An important form of international cooperation is the exchange of established and emerging best practices, which can help promote more consistent approaches across countries while respecting different national circumstances. The ITU-R is developing a Handbook on best practices for the sustainable use of frequencies and associated non-geostationary-satellite orbits to bring together international guidance, national experience and industry practices. It is intended to serve as a practical resource for countries, satellite operators and other stakeholders seeking to strengthen the sustainability of space operations. Contributions from across all regions would be particularly valuable.
Importantly, both countries with their own satellite systems and those without them can contribute practical experience and help advance space sustainability. National regulators can influence operator practices through conditions for providing satellite services in their markets. Some national frameworks already incorporate sustainability-related requirements into licensing and market-access procedures. The ITU’s recently published Non-geostationary satellite orbit licensing framework toolkit provides useful guidance on the regulatory choices available to countries.
Effective international cooperation requires complementary efforts at several levels. International agreements and recommendations provide a common foundation, while national regulation and industry practices translate them into practical measures. Industry standards and operational practices can sometimes develop faster than international norms, helping to address emerging challenges and informing the further development of international guidance. Contractual mechanisms can also reinforce these efforts by making sustainability requirements part of commercial relationships. States, international organizations and industry all have a role to play.
