Table of Contents
1． Preface................................................................................................... 1
2． Details of the International Symposium ......................................................... 3
(1) Date
(2) Place
(3) Official Supporters
(4) Industry Sponsors
(5) Program and Brief Summaries of Speeches
3.
Results of Questionnaires ......................................................................... 37
4.
Summary .............................................................................................. 40
5.
Acknowledgments .................................................................................. 42
1. Preface
The space debris problem is “a common challenge for all humanity” that cannot be
solved by any single nation. As a first step to address this challenge, top-level policy
makers from the United States and countries in Europe and Asia were invited to attend
and participate in the first-ever international symposia held by the private sector on the
space debris problem, last year and the year before last. These symposia have been
widely appreciated as timely meetings, not only by the guest speakers, but also by the
audience.
Against the backdrop of a surge in countries operating satellites, particularly Asian
countries, multilateral discussions have been held since the first symposium, including
the discussion in the United Nations (UN) Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer
Space (COPUOS), the efforts towards an International Code of Conduct for Outer
Space Activities, and the progress of the UN Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) on
space transparency and confidence-building measures (TCBMs) to promote sustainable
space development and use. These discussions addressed the implementation of TCBMs
for responsible actions in space, and the peaceful use of space and establishment of
rules for safe, secure, stable, and sustainable space activities.
While these symposia and discussions addressed aspects of policy, the symposium
reported on herein aimed not only to reach policy agreement, but also to suggest that
Japan take a leadership position with regard to the technology required for solving space
debris problems.
This report outlines the symposium.
As a note of acknowledgment, this symposium was held as part of a project funded
by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) through its Infrastructure
Development Program for Promoting International S&T Cooperation, a segment of
which is determined by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology (MEXT).
1
Photograph of all speakers
Photograph of the venue
2
2. Details of the International Symposium
(1) Date
Thursday-Friday, February 27-28, 2014
(2) Place
Yurakucho Asahi Hall
(3) Official Supporters
Office of National Space Policy, Cabinet Office
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Ministry of Defense
The Society of Japanese Aerospace Companies
(4) Industry Sponsors (alphabetical order)
Analytical Graphics Inc.
Fujitsu Limited
High-Reliability Engineering & Components Corporation
IHI AEROSPACE Co., Ltd.
IHI Corporation
LSAS Tec Co., Ltd.
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
NEC Corporation
NEC TOSHIBA Space Systems, Ltd.
SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation
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(5) Program and Brief Summaries of Speeches
Day 1: Thursday, February 27, 2014
Welcome Remarks
Mr. Shogo Kitahara, President, JSF
Thank you all very much for participating in the 3rd International Symposium on
Sustainable Space Development and Utilization for Humankind in spite of your busy
schedules. I am especially grateful to Mr. Ichita Yamamoto, Minister of State for Space
Policy, for attending the Symposium in spite of his busy schedule in the Diet session. I
would also like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to guests who are
high-level dignitaries from the government of Japan and other representative persons of
relevant countries and organizations around the world.
Thanks to your contributions and cooperation, we are holding this third symposium.
The past two symposia included many participants, including high-level domestic and
foreign dignitaries, qualified speakers, and a large audience, and gained a favorable
reputation for international discussion and activities to improve the current alarming
situation facing sustainable space development and use. This is the only symposium in
Japan for the space debris problem at the policy level. Since the first symposium,
progress has been made in various forms in this field, domestically and internationally.
Internationally, the United Nations (UN) Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) from
relevant countries finalized its report on outer space transparency and
confidence-building measures (TCBMs) in July of last year. Parallel to this activity, the
EU led a multilateral discussion to reach agreement on an International Code of
Conduct for Outer Space Activities. Under the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of
Outer Space (COPUOS), the Working Group on the Long-term Sustainability of outer
space activities has taken the initiative of discussion. Furthermore, the first meeting of
the Japan-US comprehensive dialogue on space was held in March last year.
Domestically, greater importance has been placed on space situational awareness
(SSA) in the new Basic Plan for Space Policy, revised in January 2013, and discussions
on SSA activities in terms of the national security have begun. While the past two
symposia focused primarily on policy-related issues, we intend to devote this third
symposium to discussion of technical issues, such as Active Debris Removal (ADR), an
ultimate solution to overcome the congested environment around Earth, in addition to
policy issues for future agreement. In order to achieve these goals, we have invited
representative persons of relevant organizations around the world. We hope that
constructive discussion will be conducted, not only by speakers, but also among all
participants in this symposium.
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Guest Speeches
Mr. Ichita Yamamoto, Minister of State for Space Policy, GOJ
More than 20,000 pieces of space debris are said to be in
orbit, a number that is expected to increase in the future. Space
debris is becoming a serious problem to spacefaring nations that
operate artificial satellites and the International Space Station
(ISS), for instance. In 2013, a movie was released on the theme
of the risk of space debris, entitled “Gravity,” allowing the
observation that the space debris problem has become widely
known.
The Basic Plan for Space Policy, established in January 2013, attaches importance to
space debris mitigation from the point of view of sustainable space development and
utilization. In December of last year, the Cabinet Office decided upon the National
Security Strategy (NSS), which addresses space debris mitigation.
However, space environment protection through space debris mitigation is not
achieved by a single nation, but requires international cooperation. Hence, the
Government of Japan (GOJ) is actively participating in international meetings on the
long-term sustainability of outer space activities under the UN Committee on the
Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and discussions on the International Code of
Conduct for Outer Space Activities led by EU. In addition, we are also actively working
on technology for space debris collection.
I view outer space as public property, with unlimited latent possibilities. To promote
sustainable development and use of space, every country has to share this concept. I
hope this symposium will be fruitful and satisfactory for all participants.
Mr. Yoshiya Muto, Councillor, National Security Secretariat (NSS), Cabinet
Secretariat, GOJ The National Security Council (NSC) of Japan is a ministerial-level
body presided over by the Prime Minister, whereas the National Security Secretariat
(NSS) is an administrative unit is fully dedicated to supporting the NSC, planning and
formulating a national security policy, and effecting mutual
coordination among relevant ministries and agencies, including
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense.
With regard to outer space, the NSC and the NSS will promote
a space policy related to national security, in cooperation with
relevant organizations such as the Strategic Headquarters for
Space Policy. One of the first tasks of the NSC was the
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establishment of the National Security Strategy (also NSS). Although guidelines already
existed within the context of defense policy, with an obvious focus on defense goals and
objectives, there has been nothing describing an over-arching national security policy
related to space, except for a basic policy on national defense that is only several lines
long and has never been amended since its institution in 1957. Succeeding and containing
this, the National Security Strategy, which is over 30 pages long, places emphasis on
diplomacy and defense, and describes national security in a comprehensive way with
regard to space. Accordingly, the Strategy can be said to be the first substantial national
security strategy for Japan.
The National Security Strategy regards outer space, as well as the sea and cyberspace,
as global commons, and confirms the importance of securing free access to and use of
such global commons by the international community. Furthermore, the Strategy
emphasizes the promotion of the use of outer space from the viewpoint of security, and
states Space Situational Awareness (SSA) as one of its major policies. It is significant that
the space policy, including SSA, is clearly described in the first National Security
Strategy for Japan.
As the use of outer space for security purposes advances, Japan’s efforts to secure
stable uses of outer space, including SSA, also contribute to Japan’s defense as well as the
effectiveness of the Japan-U.S. alliance. In cooperation with relevant ministries and
agencies, the National Security Secretariat will strive to work on efforts between Japan
and the United States and activities regarding the International Code of Conduct.
Mr. Jun Shimmi, Ambassador in charge of UN Affairs and Ambassador in charge of
Cyber Policy, Deputy Director–General, Foreign Policy Bureau, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs (MOFA), GOJ
From the viewpoint of diplomacy, there are two big waves, or
mountains, of problems related to outer space since World War
II, for which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible. The
first one is, of course, the Cold War period. In the 1960s and
1970s, the United States and the Soviet Union were in fierce
competition in the space race, and five international treaties on
outer space were established.
In and after 1980, completely different concepts of and relations among individual
nations and the international community have arisen, in contrast to those of the Cold War
era. Against this backdrop, we have been faced with the second problem: how to address
problems related to outer space, and how to establish order in addressing such problems
by the nations concerned and the international community. Accordingly, I think this
symposium has important significance and, from the viewpoint of diplomacy, it is
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important for Japan to have active dialogues on outer space with other nations and
participate in rule-making related to outer space.
Thanks to efforts of the EU and relevant nations, open-ended consultations on the
Proposal for an International Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities that were open
to all nations were held in Ukraine in May 2013, and in Thailand in November 2013. We
regard the Code of Conduct as highly important, and have been actively contributing to
the discussion. It is also important for Japan, as a nation in Asia, to lead and involve the
emerging spacefaring nations in Asia.
The UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) has been
discussing best practice guidelines for the long-term sustainability of space activities,
which include measures for space debris mitigation. Not only the Government of Japan,
but also Japanese private sectors, have also been contributing actively to this effort,
providing technical information, for example.
For the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, rule-making, transparency, and international
cooperation regarding outer space are a new field, in a sense. As Mr. Muto mentioned
with regard to the National Security Secretariat (NSS), the National Security Council
(NSC), and the National Security Strategy (NSS), the new national security policy under
the Abe Government clearly states that outer space is the field to be addressed in Japanese
diplomacy. To support this goal, therefore, the Government will strive to address the
problem, with the support and cooperation of public and, in particular, private sectors.
Mr. Keisuke Isogai, Deputy Director-General, Research and Development Bureau,
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), GOJ
Challenges to the frontiers, including outer space, are
significant because they lead to opportunities to maintain or
improve the international presence of Japan, which aims to
establish an advanced science- and technology-oriented nation and
to create an energetic future that can develop the new potential of
children who direct their dreams for their future to space, as well
as the young who dream of doing great thing in the world.
In the International Space Exploration Forum (ISEF) held in
Washington, D.C. last month, MEXT Minister Shimomura stated that Japan will take a
positive role in participating in future operations of international space exploration, and
contribute to space exploration in a responsible way, through Japan’s field of expertise.
Japan also is scheduled to host the next meeting.
On the other hand, as mentioned by Space Policy Minister Yamamoto, space debris
such as defunct artificial satellites, are in orbit around Earth, threatening safe and stable
space development and use. To contribute to sustainable space development and
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utilization, the MEXT and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) have made
various efforts toward space debris mitigation and monitoring, attracting increasing
international interest. To be concrete, we have made efforts that include measurement and
tracking of debris by optical telescopes and radar on the ground, studies on orbital
computation for grasping objects expected to re-enter in the near future, and development
of technology to reduce the period of time that defunct satellites stay in orbit, in
cooperation with the Japan Space Forum, the host of this symposium.
Furthermore, to construct a new system for space debris monitoring, we will begin study
for the realization of the system next year, in coordination with the Cabinet Office and the
Ministry of Defense. The MEXT will make continued efforts to actively promote research
and development, as well as international cooperation, for mitigation and reduction of
space debris to contribute to humanity’s sustainable development and use of outer space.
Mr. Jota Yamamoto, Director General for International Affairs, Bureau of Defense
Policy, Ministry of Defense (MOD), GOJ
Sustainable development and utilization of space is a
considerable and significant challenge. The fact that the symposium
has a wide spectrum of participants from the United States, Europe,
Australia, Russia, and the United Nations is proof that the theme is
so significant. The advantages – economic, social, and
security-related – of being able to use outer space sustainably and
stably are immeasurable. Stable use of outer space is a challenge to
be addressed by the Government of Japan. As a member of the Government, the Ministry
of Defense (MOD) will play an appropriate role.
In December of last year, the Government established the National Security Strategy
(NSS) and set out the National Defense Program Guidelines. As provided therein, Japan
aims to secure stable utilization of outer space through the effort of Space Situational
Awareness (SSA). It is appropriate that the MOD also plays a role in this effort.
We at the MOD have been conducting a study on capacity for SSA. The Air
Self-Defense Force has radar (FPS-5 radar) for airspace and missile defense. We are now
performing experiments and studies to determine whether the FPS-5 radar can be used for
SSA purposes. To establish the most effective SSA system for all relevant bodies in Japan,
the MOD will promote research and study in cooperation with the Cabinet Office and
MEXT. The MOD is determined to contribute to SSA for the security of Japan and the
world.
Japan is a technological power. In addition, the most important thing in SSA is to
promote international information sharing and cooperation. Japan and the United States
have already understood the importance of cooperation in SSA. I am sure that this
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symposium triggers further understanding of the necessity of international cooperation.
Keynote Speeches
“Japan’s New Space Policy and the Sustainable Development and Utilization of Space”
Mr. Junya Nishimoto, Director-General, Office of National Space Policy, Cabinet Office,
GOJ
The Basic Plan for Space Policy established in January last year
has two pillars, “expansion of the use of space” and “ensuring
autonomy.” “Use” includes security and economic growth, and to
ensure “autonomy” means to have the ability to access outer space on
Japan’s own at any time, independent of other countries. Priorities
can be described as: first, to secure necessary and sufficient resources
for further use of space and ensuring autonomy; second, to allocate
certain amounts of resources to space science; and finally, to allocate to space exploration and
human space activities. Three subjects on which great importance is placed are National
Security and Disaster Management, Development of Industry, and Space Science Frontier.
For sustainable development and use of space, the Basic Plan explains that Japan needs to
maintain international dialogue with other relevant bodies. As explained by the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, there are various international frameworks concerning outer space. Measures
against space debris cannot be taken by a single nation without international cooperation.
Therefore, it is important that Japan contribute to such international frameworks.
There are two observatories for space debris, at Kamisaibara and Bisei, and owned by JSF.
How Japan should effectively use such facilities and, in addition, what type of SSA system
Japan should have; the Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Defense are performing
investigation about them this year and MEXT will join us to continue the investigation next
year. SSA is important for national security and also important as private activities. It can
protect assets in outer space operated by private companies and also by the Government. It
will function effectively in terms of national security. We have examined what type of SSA
system Japan should have. There are several types of SSA systems in the world: one way,
adopted by the United States and Germany, is that a national security sector has and manages
SSA centers and uses SSA for civilian purposes; another way, adopted by France, is that SSA
centers operated independently by military and civilian bodies are connected and used for
national security purposes. We must determine what type of SSA system we will adopt.
As explained by the National Security Council (NSC) and National Security Secretariat
(NSS), the National Security Strategy was established, firmly declaring the importance of
outer space. The Strategy states that security of the global commons, including sea, space, and
cyberspace, is important, also noting the necessity of enhancement of Japan’s SSA system for
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various purposes, including the stable use of outer space, the importance of
information-gathering satellites, the enhancement of function of the Ministry of Defense, and
the importance of information gathering.
Outer space is an environment of global commons. To promote the use of space more
actively, it is important to maintain the space environment for sustainable use. Japan, one of
nations leading space development, should contribute to activities for preservation of the space
environment.
“Strengthening Global Partnership in SSA Activities”
Mr. Frank A. Rose, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Space and Defense Policy, Bureau of
Arms Control, Verification and Compliance, US Department of State, USA
I am pleased and honored to be back in Tokyo for this third
international symposium. I always have a great experience during my
trips to Japan, and I’d like to thank the Japan Space Forum for
inviting me back once more and for selecting such a timely topic.
To begin, I would like to provide a brief policy update on United
States efforts on Space Situational Awareness (SSA) cooperation in
the past year, while deferring to my colleague Doug Loverro on some of the more technical
aspects of our SSA cooperation.
As everyone in this room understands, the increasingly congested space environment is of
growing concern for all nations. Avoiding collisions requires us to strengthen the foundational
capability of SSA to improve our ability to characterize the space environment and to predict
the location of objects orbiting the Earth, including space debris. To attain this purpose, not
only international cooperation on SSA sharing but also cooperation with the private sector is
required. For example, the United States has signed SSA sharing agreements this year with
Australia, Japan, Canada, Italy, and France. We expect to sign several agreements with
additional governments in 2014, as well as with numerous commercial owners and operators.
The United States continues to provide notifications to other governments and commercial
satellite operators of potentially hazardous conjunctions between their satellites and other
orbiting objects. We are also exploring the possibility of establishing two-way SSA sharing,
including with Japan. We hope that as our space surveillance capabilities improve by working
with partner nations jointly, we will be able to notify satellite operators earlier and with greater
accuracy.
One of the most important areas for us to continue pursuing international cooperation on
SSA is in the Asia-Pacific region. It is important to build a stable, productive, and constructive
space security relationship with emerging powers and China. The process of updating and
broadening the US-Japan cooperation on space security presents an ideal opportunity to
enhance the US-Japan Alliance. The United States and Japan have held several space security
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dialogues, including the first-ever Comprehensive Dialogue on Space, in the last three years.
We expect a second Comprehensive Dialogue to be held this spring in Washington, DC.
The United States and Australia signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together
on space surveillance at the 2010 Australia-US Ministerial (AUSMIN). We agreed at the 2012
AUSMIN that the United States would transfer and start operating a C-Band radar to Australia
in 2014 and also signed another agreement to relocate a space surveillance telescope to
Australia at the 2013 AUSMIN. We have ongoing space security dialogues with Australia, as
well as a trilateral space security dialogue with Japan. Discussions on space security have also
been increasing with our Republic of Korea allies.
As concerns Transparency and Confidence-Building Measures (TCBMs), the consensus
report was endorsed by the UN General Assembly. We hope that all countries will review the
report carefully and consider implementing many of the near-term and pragmatic TCBMs
contained therein.
In parallel with cooperation with ASEAN, we have also been holding US-India space
security discussions. Of course, it is important to have dialogue on space security with China.
The reason is that Chinese military writings highlight the need to interfere with, damage, and
destroy reconnaissance, navigation, and communication satellites owned by the United States.
China has satellite jamming capabilities and antisatellite capabilities. We carefully observe the
movements, and also expect Chinese transparency of space development and utilization.
The United States looks forward to deepening our engagement with all governments in the
Asia-Pacific region to ensure the long-term sustainability and security of the fragile space
environment.
“Building Global Partnerships in Space”
Mr. Douglas Loverro, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Space Policy, Office of the Under
Secretary Defense for Policy, US Department of Defense, USA
The United States will perform the following three efforts:
deployment of new surveillance sensors, strengthening of the ability
of data analysis, and international cooperation and data sharing.
Regarding new surveillance sensors, although the United States
already has global surveillance sensors, built in the 1960s–1970s.
Pieces of space debris in that age numbered 1,000 or less, their sizes
were relatively large, and their orbits were almost identified. At
present, we have been tracking about 20,000 pieces of debris, but there are another 500,000
pieces we have not tracked, about 20,000 of which can destroy satellites. We have to consider
both the 20,000 tracked pieces of debris and the 20,000 untracked pieces that can destroy
satellites.
The United States is constructing a new Space Fence using S-band radars, which can track
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debris objects three centimeters or larger in size, on Kwajalein Island. Not all, but most, of
debris objects will be track-able by the new Space Fence in low and medium Earth orbit. The
new Space Fence can observe and detect 150,000–250,000 objects, and can track them more
quickly than the past, contributing to collision avoidance. Geostationary Earth orbit and
high-altitude satellites such as GPS will be observed by telescopes. For the observation, the
United States and Australia have already agreed to relocate a space surveillance telescope,
which can detect objects about 10 cm in size, to Australia. In either case, observation by
telescopes can be possible only at night. Therefore, we are conducting the “Geosynchronous
Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP)” as the third system. In the GSSAP, two
satellites will orbit and operate above and below the geostationary Earth orbit and collect
information on geostationary satellites. Unlike ground-based telescopes, the satellites can
operate in the daytime, and also can discriminate between friendly and harmful objects. These
three important programs will be in service within four or five years.
Next, with regard to data analysis, we are now developing a system, the Joint Space
Operations Center (JSpOC) Mission System (JMS), to process and share massive amounts of
data to be obtained by the new sensor program mentioned earlier. The JMS, consisting of new
computers, allows us to share and disseminate a variety of information, such as conjunction
assessment, collision avoidance, and pre-launch conjunction assessment, more quickly and
accurately. Our capabilities will be improved dramatically.
Even though only the United States has enhanced capabilities of sensors and analysis, the
space debris problem cannot be solved, without international cooperation, as pointed out by
Mr. Rose. Mr. Nishimoto said that Japan will have its own SSA system in place. The United
States welcomes this, but its data obtained should be shared with us. Data transparency
through data sharing is important for sustainable preservation of the space environment, and
we have to make every possible effort to leave the great space environment to the next
generation.
“Consideration on the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities”
Dr. Yasushi Horikawa, Chairperson of United Nations Committee for the Peaceful Uses
of Outer Space (COPUOS)
I would like to speak about some considerations on the long term
sustainability of outer space activities in my personal capacity, rather
than on behalf of UN COPUOS. We who are living in the 21st
century are enjoying significant benefits from space exploration and
utilization. Protecting the space environment is vital and crucial to
space applications, and in the end, to human security. Therefore,
various efforts are being made to ensure long-term sustainability of
outer space activities.
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We know that, since the first satellite (Sputnik) was launched in 1957, more than 6,000
satellites have been launched, and half of those have perished. Currently, about 1,000
operational satellites are orbiting around the Earth. Therefore, more than 2,000 are still flying
uselessly. Sources of space debris are not only discarded spacecraft but also fragmentation due
to inadvertent accident or intentional destruction. More than 20,000 pieces of space debris
with more than 10 cm in size are surrounding Earth and being tracked. Although objects with
diameter smaller than 10 cm are not trackable, collision with this debris may destroy
spacecraft and endanger astronauts.
Regarding Space Situational Awareness (SSA), full knowledge of the near-Earth space
environment, including space weather, space debris, and Near-Earth Objects is important.
Sharing SSA information between government and commercial actors, among governments,
and with the public is becoming necessary to ensure safety in space. For that purpose,
discussions have been underway at various fora, such as the UN COPUOS, the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU), the European Union-led efforts to develop an International
Code of Conduct (ICoC) for Outer Space Activities, the United Nations Conference on
Disarmament (UNCD), and the First Committee of the General Assembly. The report issued
by the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) working on Transparency and Confidence
Building Measures (TCBMs) in space activities, adopted at the UN General Assembly last
year, described the concept and meaning of TCBMs and recommended pursuit of the long
term sustainability of outer space activities through the UN COPUOS and Code of Conduct
discussions.
I would like to congratulate the chairman of the Working Group on the Long-term
Sustainability (LTS) of Outer Space Activities under the Science and Technology
Subcommittee (STSC) at the UNCOPUOS, Peter Martinez, for his successful progress in
organizing 33 guidelines into a draft best practice guideline report. In June, there will be a
working group of LTS to discuss the new draft of best practice guidelines. The resulting report
will be finalized in 2015.
Space development and use must be constrained, unless space debris and space objects are
well managed, except for limited specific missions that require the most advanced technology
or specific scientific research. Regarding small satellites, while some with specific missions
may be expected to remain in their orbits for a long time, others launched for educational and
capacity-building purposes may not need to be in their orbits for an extended period. For the
latter, the duration to remain in the orbit or their lifetime should be shortened and limited. This
is because small satellites are often launched through piggy-back rides, and they could
possibly pose significant threats to primary satellites because of the lack of propellant systems
for maneuvering. Small satellite users should be made aware of these threats through various
workshops or symposiums.
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“JAXA Activities for SSA”
Dr. Masanori Homma, Executive Chief Engineer, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
(JAXA)
Operating 14 satellites in orbit, JAXA recognizes that it is
fundamentally important to the safe operation of these satellites to
avoid collision with space debris, other artificial satellites, and the
ISS, and to that end, we have been conducting daily activities for
collision avoidance. Other activities in this vein include
coordination of satellite operation on the occasion of the rocket
launched with the rocket group, and analysis of re-entry of objects.
JAXA routinely screens objects approaching JAXA satellites four weeks in advance. For
example, although 14 satellites were observed as approaching ETS-VIII last year, not one was
finally assessed as approaching to ETS-VIII within 10 km. On the other hand, four objects
were assessed as approaching DRTS within 10 km. When artificial satellites re-enter the
Earth’s atmosphere, we perform re-entry analysis in cooperation with other countries. Re-entry
orbit predictions by several organizations differ in a margin of error 7–10 days before re-entry.
In the end, however, re-entry time can be predicted very accurately 1–2 days before re-entry.
Regarding conjunction assessment (CA), JAXA has been performing CA on the Advanced
Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) since 2009, and collision avoidance maneuvers (CAMs)
have been executed seven times after deciding that there was a high collision risk. When is an
avoidance maneuver performed? An international standard criterion proposed by JSpOC states
that if there is a possibility of approach closer than 200 m of radial distance or 1000 m of total
miss distance, a maneuver to avoid collision should be executed.
Wanting to enhance our capability further, JAXA has been promoting studies for
optimization of radar tracking determination algorism, real-time orbit estimation, and
enhancement of certainty of Probability of Collision.
Since the Space Situational Awareness (SSA) sharing agreement was concluded in 2013,
JAXA have been exchanging data with JSpOC. As a result, our activities are progressing
markedly, and we thank JSpOC and people involved, in this respect.
JAXA intends to contribute to the Government of Japan through SSA technologies that are
further developed, based on our accumulated knowledge of observation, orbit analysis, CA,
and CAM.
Panel 1: International Code of Conduct and the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space
Activities
Moderator: Dr. Sergio Marchisio, Professor of Law at the University Sapienza of Rome,
Chairman of European Centre for Space Law (ECSL/ESA), Italy
Panelists:
Mr. Michiru Nishida, Deputy Director, Special Assistant for Disarmament and
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Non-Proliferation Issues, Arms Control and Disarmament Division, Disarmament,
Non-Proliferation and Science Department/Space Policy Division, Foreign Policy
Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, GOJ
Dr. Peter Martinez, Chairman of the UN COPUOS Scientific and Technical
Subcommittee’s Working Group on the Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space
Activities, Republic of South Africa
Ms. Victoria Samson, Washington Office Director, Secure World Foundation, USA
“International Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities and Japan’s Efforts”
Mr. Michiru Nishida, Deputy Director, Special Assistant for Disarmament and
Non-Proliferation Issues, Arms Control and Disarmament Division, Disarmament,
Non-Proliferation and Science Department/Space Policy Division, Foreign Policy
Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, GOJ
There are five reasons why the International Code of Conduct (ICoC) for Outer Space
Activities has been drafted. The first reason is the sharp increase in spacefaring countries.
Countries that cannot launch satellites, but operate them, have increased in number markedly.
The second reason is that the degree of dependence of our everyday life on outer space has
risen, and the use of outer space has quite permeated our daily life. The third is that while
outer space activities began with military use and then extended to civilian use, the borderline
between civilian and military use has become increasingly unclear in recent years. The fourth
is the lack of international regulations or rules. The existing prescriptive frameworks on outer
space activities are only the Outer Space Treaty and other legal frameworks entered into force
in 1960s and after. Basically, there are no international laws. The fifth reason is the increase in
space debris, which has especially increased due to China’s anti-satellite test conducted in
2007, which is connected with the fact that there are no prescriptive frameworks regulating
such action to begin with.
In the international community, regulations on outer space activities for civilian and military
uses have been discussed separately. Led by the EU, formulation of an International Code of
Conduct (ICoC) for Outer Space Activities for both civilian and military purposes began with
major spacefaring countries independently of the United Nations (UN).
The first draft of the Code was released in 2008. The Code has the following three major
problems: (i) regarding its scope, the Code is to be applied to all outer space activities,
including security and civilian purposes; (ii) the Code is proposed from the outside of the UN;
and (iii) how can the Code ensure universality, or gather support from as many countries as
possible. Since the Code is designed for the international community, participation of as many
countries as possible is desirable.
As indicated by statement released by the Minister of Foreign Affairs in January 2012,
Japan positively supports the establishment of the Code on the basis that it will contribute to
construction of outer space governance and the enhancement of outer space security.
While the Code of Conduct is based on a top-down approach, that is, by obtaining political
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commitment and outlining political principles, its guidelines are developed with a bottom-up
approach, that is, from the technical point of view of engineers and experts. These two
activities are being carried out in parallel and simultaneously; it is important that the two
efforts be completed in a way that they are consistent with each other.
“UN COPUOS and its efforts to promote the Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space
Activities”
Dr. Peter Martinez, Chairman of the UN COPUOS Scientific and Technical
Subcommittee’s Working Group on the Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space
Activities, Republic of South Africa
Concerning the concept of sustainability of outer space activities, various discussions on
this topic have been held over the past 20 years. Sustainability of the space environment is the
concern of all beneficiaries of space activities, whether or not they are space actors. Therefore,
I think that countries that are not involved with space development and use at present should
also take part in discussions on space sustainability.
Although discussions on various problems in COPUOS have been held by two
subcommittees, the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (STSC) and the Legal
Subcommittee (LSC), discussions on long-term sustainability are determined to be integrated
into STSC. Terms of reference for the Working Group are: (i) to examine the long-term
sustainability of outer space activities in the wider context of sustainable development on
Earth, taking into account the concerns and interests of all countries, in particular those of
developing countries; (ii) to take into consideration current practices, operating procedures,
technical standards, and policies associated with the long-term sustainability of outer space
activities, including, inter alia, the safe conduct of space activities throughout all the phases of
the mission life cycle; and (iii) to take as its legal framework the existing United Nations
treaties and principles governing the activities of States in the exploration and use of outer
space.
Outcomes of the Working Group include: (i) preparation of a report on the long-term
sustainability of outer space activities containing a consolidated set of current best practice
guidelines and operating procedures; (ii) production of a set of voluntary recommended
guidelines that could be applied by all spacefaring actors, including international organizations
and non-governmental entities, to reduce collectively the risk to space operations for all
spacefaring actors; and (iii) conclusion that recommendations will be non-binding
(non-binding does not mean non-legal). In addition, guidelines should be high-level and not
too technically detailed; voluntary and not legally binding; based on actual, proven efficient
and effective practices; consistent with existing international legal frameworks for space
activities; take into account the needs and interests of developing countries; and consistent
with relevant recommendations of COPUOS and its Subcommittees, other UN bodies, and
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other relevant international organizations.
“Complementary Initiatives for Safety, Security and Sustainability (SSS) in Outer
Space”
Dr. Sergio Marchisio, Professor of Law at the University Sapienza of Rome, Chairman of
European Centre for Space Law (ECSL/ESA), Italy
The safety, security, and sustainability (SSS) of outer space activities have acquired a
central importance at the international level within the fora dealing with outer space issues.
“Safety” is not intended to imply that space operations will carry no risk. Rather, it refers to a
regime in which risks are identified, assessed, and managed. “Security” means that all
countries can freely access outer space, and can pursue the use of outer space. “Sustainability”
is about ensuring that all humanity can continue to use space for peaceful purposes, and for
socioeconomic benefit, maintaining its potential to meet the needs of present and future
generations.
The first effort for SSS of outer space is the Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines, drafted by
the Inter Agency Debris Committee (IADC) in 2002. With the Guidelines as the basis, the
COPUOS Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines were endorsed by the UN General Assembly in
2007. In addition, the Working Group on Long-Term Sustainability (LTS) at the UN COPUOS
and discussions on the Draft International Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities (ICoC)
have also been ongoing. These efforts present some commonalities, but also several
differences.
While the Working Group on LTS at the UN COPUOS has followed a bottom-up scheme,
the ICoC is a top-down process. Although the ICoC was endorsed by the Council of the
European Union in 2010, the process was further internationalized with two rounds of
open-ended consultations held in Kyiv and Bangkok in 2013.
It has been questioned whether these initiatives are in the interest of developing and
emerging spacefaring nations. It is my opinion that emerging spacefaring nations have a strong
interest in ensuring that the space environment is used in a safe, secure and sustainable way, so
that they can fully enjoy the benefits of space activities and launch outer space initiatives to
the benefit of their citizens. These initiatives do not impose any requirements on countries that
might act as a barrier to their space activities, which may be of particular interest to
developing countries.
“The Code of Conduct: A Starting Point”
Ms. Victoria Samson, Washington Office Director, Secure World Foundation, USA
As outer space has become commercialized, and spacefaring countries have been increasing
in number year by year, a code of conduct has become critical. To make outer space activities
orderly and to not allow any space actors to conduct irresponsible activities, a preliminary
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draft of an International Code of Conduct (ICoC), which calls for the involvement of many
countries, was proposed by the EU in 2008. However, the ICoC has not yet been perfected.
The first draft of the ICoC was released for international discussions in 2010. Although many
countries, both developing and developed, have been involved, developed countries have
promoted the ICoC for its security aspects. The EU has regarded the ICoC as a part of its
outreach regarding outer space, and has made efforts to make a positive approach in this
respect to developing countries. However, the then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
announced that the United States did not approve of the ICoC, but hoped to achieve orderly
space activities in concert with the countries concerned. This position was because the United
States was concerned that the ICoC would restrict its outer space activities. The United States
planned to coordinate with the countries concerned in 2013, and to repeat discussions from
various viewpoints, including military and security, to finalize the discussions in 2014. It is
worth noting that since the ICoC is non-legally binding, it should be more acceptable to more
countries.
Strengthening its prospects, the ICoC is under discussion at the State level, where outer
space has been treated as a national resource. The Outer Space Treaty states that States shall
be responsible for national space activities whether carried out by governmental or
non-governmental entities. That is, States should not take harmful actions directly or
indirectly, and should not destroy objects in outer space. States also should not create space
debris, which can be regarded as weapons in outer space. The ICoC is expected to be a
deterrent, in order to ensure space safety, and may become legally binding in the future.
Regardless, the long-term sustainability of outer space activities will be achieved, if many
States are involved in drafting and finalizing the ICoC.
Panel 2: UN-GGE/TCBM
Moderator: Dr. Sergio Marchisio, Professor of Law at the University Sapienza of Rome,
Chairman of European Centre for Space Law (ECSL/ESA), Italy
Panelists:
Dr. Victor Vasiliev, Chairman, Group of Governmental Experts on Transparency and
Confidence-Building Measures in Outer Space Activities
Dr. Sergio Marchisio, Professor of Law at the University Sapienza of Rome, Chairman of
European Centre for Space Law (ECSL/ESA), Italy
Mr. Frank Rose, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Space and Defense Policy, Bureau of
Arms Control, Verification and Compliance, US Department of State, USA
“The Outcome of the GGE on TCBMs in Outer Space Activities. What’s Next?”
Dr. Victor Vasiliev, Chairman, Group of Governmental Experts on Transparency and
Confidence-Building Measures in Outer Space Activities
Although the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) consists of experts representing 15
countries, other countries, including Japan, and other international organizations and bodies,
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such as COPUOS, ITU, and WMO, also took part in the discussion. The Report of the GGE
finalized last year was approved in the UN General Assembly by consensus.
The Working Group had proposed the measures as having a voluntary, non-legally binding
character, and discussing them in terms of not endangering others. We also discussed
recommendations on how to enhance the transparency of outer space activities.
The first item considered is information exchange on space policies, including the
principles and goals of a State’s outer space policy, on major military outer space
expenditures, and other space security activities. The next item is notification, in light of the
conclusion that exchange of information on outer space objects and conjunctions is necessary.
Information exchange includes not only provision of information on outer space activities but
also information on how to foster risk reduction. By creating a mechanism for this information
exchange process, information exchange among the countries concerned will be improved. If
such information exchange is achieved, it can assist with the solutions of problems.
This symposium also affords an opportunity for information exchange. Accordingly, we
highlight here four practical and implementable recommendations: (i) the GGE encourages
States to review and implement the proposed TCBMs, (ii) the GGE recommends universal
participation in and adherence to the existing legal framework relating to outer space
activities, (iii) the GGE recommends that the General Assembly decide how to further advance
TCBMs in outer space, and (iv) the GGE calls upon the UN Secretary-General to appeal to all
relevant entities and organizations of the UN system to effectively implement our conclusions
and recommendations.
Although the Report of the GGE and proposed TCBMs are not the ultimate products, they
are intended to serve as the catalysts for further consideration. Since Russia currently is the
Chair of the G-8, we will propose concretization of the TCBMs. In the UN COPUOS, we
intend to propose further measures to enhance long-term space sustainability, building on
some of the proposals of the GGE Report. We will also propose to establish a center for active
debris removal operations.
“A Landmark Consensus on TCBMs in Outer Space”
Dr. Sergio Marchisio, Professor of Law at the University Sapienza of Rome, Chairman of
European Centre for Space Law (ECSL/ESA), Italy
With regard to the value of the GGE, first, the mission of the Group is clearly presented:
TCBMs stand as negotiated measures, regardless of the presence or absence of legally binding
force. Second, regarding constituents of the GGE, its members are nominated on the basis of
equitable geographical representation from 15 countries. They may be restricted, but are
inclusive at the same time. Third, the GGE can derive practical outcomes, according to its
ambitious original challenges. The consensus report emphasizes that TCBMs are for the
welfare of humankind, and to that end, the safety and security of outer space activities and
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long-term sustainability will be maintained. A primary feature of the GGE report is that
TCBMs should be clear, practical, and proven to achieve its goals. In addition, the report also
describes the necessity of testing the proposed TCBMs for effectiveness. Moreover, TCBMs
must be implemented bilaterally and multilaterally, the latter of which provides the
opportunity to involve more countries in implementation.
As described in the final part of the report, political commitments will be pursued. If a
country makes a declaration on non-first placement of weapons in outer space, some countries
will follow suit, because it is not legally binding. However, as such, it should be verified
whether this approach is effective. The draft International Code of Conduct (ICoC) is more
practical and more reliable, and is a good foundation for developing a non-legally binding
framework for guaranteeing that malfunction and mistrust will not occur in outer space,
thereby preserving safety and stability in the space environment. If a multilateral ICoC is
adopted, transparency will increase, the number of events caused by debris will decrease, and
hazards in outer space will decrease, as described during this symposium.
“U.S. Perspective on the Importance of the GGE”
Mr. Frank Rose, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Space and Defense Policy, Bureau of
Arms Control, Verification and Compliance, US Department of State, USA
The GGE experts sought to find solutions to common challenges and problems in an
increasingly contested and congested space environment. The Group’s study was a unique
opportunity to establish consensus on the importance and priority of voluntary and pragmatic
measures to ensure the sustainability and safety of the space environment, as well as to
strengthen stability and security in space for all nations.
Furthermore, the Group endorsed efforts to pursue political commitments – including a
multilateral code of conduct – to encourage responsible actions in, and the peaceful use of,
outer space. In this regard, the Group noted the efforts of the European Union to develop an
International Code of Conduct (ICoC) for Outer Space Activities through open-ended
consultations with the international community.
The Group’s study endorsed efforts to pursue bilateral transparency and confidence-building
measures (TCBMs). This highlights the importance of efforts such as ongoing discussions on
space security policy that the United States has been conducting with a number of spacefaring
nations, including Italy, South Africa, and Japan. Such dialogue has the potential to lead to the
construction of a mechanism for warning of potential hazards to spaceflight safety and
building confidence. To strengthen stability in space through voluntary, non-legally binding
TCBMs is important. It was endorsed by the UN General Assembly last December.
While all nations are increasingly reliant on space, its use is at serious risk. Accidents
caused by irresponsible acts could not only harm the space environment, but could also disrupt
services on which all governments depend. As a result, I would recommend that all
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governments review and consider implementing the recommendations of the GGE.
Day 2: Friday, February 28, 2014
“Panel 3: Possible Global SSA Networking Cooperation”
Moderator: Ms. Stacie Shurchay, Analyst in the Space Policy Branch, J5 Plans and
Policy Directorate, United States Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base,
Nebraska, USA
Panelists:
Ms. Stacie Shurchay, Analyst in the Space Policy Branch, J5 Plans and Policy
Directorate, United States Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, USA
Group Captain Colin Thomson, Director, Defense Space Coordinating Office, Royal
Australian Air Force, Australia
“Evolution of the U.S. SSA Program”
Ms. Stacie Shurchay, Analyst in the Space Policy Branch, J5 Plans and Policy
Directorate, United States Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, USA
Our data is obtained from our Space Surveillance Network (SSN), a network of radar
sensors and telescopes located all over the world, handling approximately 400,000
observations a day. We also cooperate with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA),
as space weather is strongly relevant. All of the data are gathered at the Joint Space
Operations Center (JSpOC), where military personnel and contractors work together. While
the telescopes used for the SSN are dedicated to this effort, some of the radar sensors are
dedicated, and others are collateral or contributing. The compiled data are used mainly for:
(i) conjunction assessment; (ii) launch trajectory screening; (iii) predicted maneuver
screening; and (iv) reentry assessments.
The United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) SSA Sharing Program has three
tiers. The bottom tier addresses emergency notification. Emergency conjunction summary
messages are provided to all satellite owners and operators, regardless of whether or not
they have an agreement on data sharing. At the second tier, the basic services—satellite
catalog in the two-line element set (TLE) format; reentry assessments and Tracking and
Impact Prediction (TIP) reports, which provide detailed reentry prediction information; and
reentry object information—are available through our website (Space-Track.org). The top
tier, advanced services, requires an agreement with the United States. In addition to the
basic services listed above, seven additional services, including collision avoidance,
conjunction assessment, and end-of-life/disposal operations, are provided to satellite owners
and operators who enter into such agreements.
The SSA Sharing Program started in 2004, the National Space Policy was reviewed in
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2010, and, finally, in 2012, the Commander of USSTRATCOM was delegated the authority
to go forward and sign international SSA sharing agreements with international
governmental entities. Currently, we have 41 commercial agreements, five signed
governmental agreements, and seven pending governmental agreements.
The SSA Sharing Study was conducted in 2012 by USSTRATCOM and the National
Reconnaissance Office. The Study recently reviewed our approaches to sharing information,
as it has been said both that we share too much information and that we do not share enough
information. Such a review will be conducted as needed. Therefore, a few years later, you
might look back and be surprised that this was all that could be presented today.
“SSA: ‘An Australian Perspective’”
Group Captain Colin Thomson, Director, Defense Space Coordinating Office, Royal
Australian Air Force, Australia
Although SSA is a new capability for Australia, we recognize that we should be actively
involved in team efforts that assure safety in outer space. Regarding Australia’s Defense
SSA vision, we currently use SSA capability for deterrence. SSA has the potential to ensure
the safety of our space assets. Moreover, from the viewpoint of mission assurance and
resilience of assets in space, we require relevant data. Furthermore, it is important to provide
timely advice to the senior echelons of defense and government. We also hope to be a hub
for SSA within Australia as the immediate region.
As an overview of Australian Defense SSA, our understanding of and commitment to
space is developing bit by bit. Regarding the policy framework, the 2013 Defense white
paper described an evolving appreciation of space capabilities. In terms of the budget, 100–
120 million dollars have been used, and space personnel, currently numbering 20, will be
increased to 50, not as a support unit, but with function of operating the system. Sensors
include C-band radar, telescopes, and a laser tracking system, to be put into operation in
2016 or 2017. (It has been said that the United States aims to begin operation of Space
Fence 2 in 2020.) These capabilities will be operated by the Royal Australian Air Force,
with an AusSpOC (analysis center), Space Ops (operation center), C-band radar, and optical
telescopes in place for our national defense SSA. In addition, universities and research
institutes have potential SSA capabilities through their telescopes and radio wave
observation facilities. New SSA research programs in academia, including these universities
and public research institutes, have begun.
Issues related to Australian SSA include very few Australian space assets and unclear
leadership (government, industry, or academia). Current involvement seems to be driven by
consensus and bottom-up initiatives.
Because Australian SSA begins with cooperation with the United States, it will take time
to conduct independent SSA operations and analyses. While other projects in the
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government have reduced their budgets, SSA is unique in securing its budget.
“ISON Project as an Example of Successful Broad International Co-operative Efforts
on Regular Monitoring of Objects and Events in High Near-Earth Orbits (GEO and
HEO)”
Dr. Vladimir Agapov, Senior Scientist, Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics,
Russia (read by Mr. Susumu Yoshitomi, Executive Director, Japan Space Forum)
Mr. Yoshitomi briefly presented International Scientific Optical Network (ISON) activities
on the basis of materials Dr. Agapov prepared on his behalf. (Abstract is omitted.)
Special Report
“Report from the AMOS Conference SSA Policy Forum: US Space Policy and
International SSA Collaboration”
Ms. Jeanne Unemori Skog, President & CEO, Maui Economic Development Board,
USA
The Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies Conference (AMOS),
started in 1999 in Maui, convened representatives of 13 countries at its 14th annual
gathering last year.
In parallel with meetings for space monitoring technologies, including conventional
optical observation, we initiated the SSA Policy Forum within the AMOS Conference two
years ago to discuss the policy context of SSA activities. Despite the fact that the amount of
space debris has increased exponentially, public awareness of the SSA is lacking, though it
is key to sustaining space policy that values SSA capabilities. Without public awareness,
there is less pressure on elected officials and government agencies to acknowledge and
adequately fund SSA. For these reasons, it is hoped that this Symposium will lead to
changing the paradigm that although debris problem is serious, public awareness of it is low.
The backdrop to SSA efforts is colored by a number of practical constraints and realities.
No single nation can or should conduct SSA alone. A collaborative shared endeavor and a
system of cooperation are necessary to solve the debris problems. Equitable sharing of costs
will also be necessary. As Mr. Loverro, of the US Department of Defense, said, the Regional
Space Fence Radar Surveillance System developed in the early 1960s was terminated in
2013, due to increased obsolescence and cost considerations, and a succeeding new Space
Fence system is under development. It is not realistic in this era that only the United States
provides others with data; the nations of the world should contribute to data provision and
data sharing. For that purpose, data sharing agreements among various nations are in
process.
The SSA Space Forum had panelists from Canada, Australia, Germany, France, the UK,
and Japan. A point of the discussion was the increasing significance of SSA capability in
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recent years. European experience bears out that SSA proves challenging in various aspects,
such as national sovereignty, governance, international cooperation, and security. Another
topic of the forum was the role of civil SSA and security-oriented SSA. Domestically,
cooperation between the commercial (civil) sector and the military (security) sector on
possible points is important.
Panel 4: Active Debris Removal (ADR)
Moderators:
Dr. Benjamin Reed, Deputy Project Manager, Satellite Servicing Capabilities office,
GSFC-NASA, USA (Technical)
Professor Souichiro Kozuka, Faculty of Law, Gakushuin University (Legal)
Panelists:
Dr. Benjamin Reed, Deputy Project Manager, Satellite Servicing Capabilities office,
GSFC-NASA, USA
Mr. Yasuyuki Ito, Associate Executive Director, JAXA
Mr. Nobu Okada, CEO, Astroscale Pte. Ltd., Singapore
Professor Souichiro Kozuka, Faculty of Law, Gakushuin University
Professor Sa’id Maosteshar, London Institute of Space Policy and Law, UK
“Challenges of Robotic Approach to Removing Orbital Debris”
Dr. Benjamin Reed, Deputy Project Manager, Satellite Servicing Capabilities office,
GSFC-NASA, USA
Although a robotic approach to removing orbital debris is a challenge, NASA does not set
policy for debris removal. Accordingly, I will discuss what NASA will do if NASA
undertakes a debris removal mission in future. The title of my office is the Satellite
Servicing Capabilities Office, not the Satellite Debris Removal Office. However, many of
the technologies that we are developing at NASA for satellite servicing overlap significantly
with the technologies that could be required for active debris removal. We have defined
satellite servicing as anomaly recovery, instrument upgrade, life extension, mission
resilience, flexible architecture, and gap mitigation. I participated with three of the five
Hubble servicing missions, all five of which were accomplished by robots and astronauts
working together to transform the Hubble Space Telescope from a satellite in the 1990s to a
telescope in the 2010s.
Active debris removal (ADR) is an indispensable technology to reduce the number of
pieces of debris. The target is rocket bodies at 700 kilometer altitude in sun-synchronous
98-degree inclination orbit. My presentation will cover challenges associated with large
debris removal, notional debris removal vehicle (DRV), notional requirements for DRV,
servicing technology development and overlap, and cooperative servicing aids.
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One of challenges associated with large debris removal is how to capture a tumbling
object. A challenge associated with the removal of non-cooperative satellites is that unspent
propellant in the tanks is unknown. To prevent the debris environment in low Earth orbit
(LEO) from worsening, five objects per year or more should be removed.
The first technical requirement to realize ADR is autonomous rendezvous docking. The
next requirement is robotic arms, which should have functions of autonomously capturing,
holding, and releasing. They also require functions to place “de-orbit devices,” such as
tethers, thrusters, and drag enhancement devices (e.g. canvas) on the debris. The next
technical requirement is capture tools. Possible locations of debris for capture include an
attachment ring (a part that had attached to a rocket in the launch phase of the satellite),
debris body diameter, and boost motor nozzle. Possible attachment techniques include
mechanical grippers or adhesive.
A refueling experiment is now being performed on the ISS with a sophisticated
manipulator, the Canadian Dextre. To refuel objects that were designed to be refueled and
satellites that were not designed to be refueled are not easy tasks.
Robotic ADR has significant challenges, in that the target objects are basically spinning,
and are non-cooperative, and five large objects per year or more should be removed or
de-orbited. The present technology NASA has developed for satellite servicing overlaps
some of the technology required for ADR, however, with possible capabilities to meet these
challenges.
“Overview of JAXA’s Research Activities on Active Space Debris Removal”
Mr. Yasuyuki Ito, Associate Executive Director, JAXA
JAXA has formed an organization-wide committee to share debris-related information
and discuss space debris. The committee consists of not only technology development
sectors, but also the international relations sector and the legal sector. The committee has
established and conducts an overall, comprehensive plan for debris. Here, I discuss our
activity of removal of large debris in orbit.
Propulsion for de-orbit includes electrodynamic tethers (EDTs), traditional chemical
propulsion, ion beam irradiation, and atmospheric drag augmentation (e.g. blowing up a
balloon). These methods have advantages and disadvantages; therefore, trade-offs should be
considered according to application. As concerns attachment, JAXA experienced
rendezvous and docking with Orihime and Hikoboshi (KIKU-7), and rendezvous and
capturing with KOUNOTORI.
A highlighted theme of JAXA’s research and development sector is EDTs. The largest
advantage of the EDTs is that they involve propellant-free propulsion. A long conducting
tether is stabilized by gravity gradient, and in the tether, an electric current flows in the
process of collection and emission of electrons and exerts a Lorentz force against the
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geomagnetic field. The force acts on the direction opposite to the flight direction and
therefore, the altitude of the object will gradually decrease. Although the drag force is not
great, an analysis showed that two-to-three tons of debris at the altitude of 1,000 km, for
example, could be re-enter within a year.
While technology development for debris removal has been promoted, international rules
and mechanisms need to be coordinated. Beyond that point, it is intended that some ADR
projects will be performed with international cooperation.
Finally, as a demonstration of the technology we are developing, an experiment using
KOUNOTORI (H-II Transfer Vehicle), a cargo transporter to the International Space Station
(ISS), is under consideration. Several days before re-entry, several hundreds of meters of an
electrodynamic tether will be attached to the KOUNOTORI; we will check the overall
behavior and the operation of the brakes, and whether the electric current flows as intended.
Although it is just an early stage, a part of the budget in the next fiscal year (2014) has been
approved. Although it has not yet been decided, the project is included in the government
draft. Thus, we are encouraged to continue making progress step by step.
“Reasons Why Private Sector Should Take Lead in ADR”
Mr. Nobu Okada, CEO, Astroscale Pte. Ltd., Singapore
I have often been told that “a challenge to debris removal by the private sector can be a
lifework, but it is not job,” and that “it requires an enormous amount of capital—this is not
IT industry.” I sometimes think these assumptions are correct, yet I still believe that private
sectors should play a key role in active debris removal.
I summarize here the current challenges concerning debris: First is a communications
challenge. The space debris issue has not been communicated to the public; that is, most of
the public does not know about it. The second challenge is an organizational challenge.
Although NASA, ESA, and JAXA allocate their budget into various outer space activities
every year, priorities on the space debris issue are very low in the respective organizations.
The third challenge is technological. Human beings have not developed solid answers yet.
The fourth is an economic challenge. No one would like to pay money to solve the space
debris issue. Finally, the fifth challenge is a transparency challenge. The technology to
remove debris is easily diverted into military use; ADR should be conducted with
transparency.
There are two reasons why the private sector could lead debris removal efforts. First, the
private sector already possesses the mechanism to enhance transparency, which is one of the
key measures for confidence building. The private sector has many stakeholders, such as
investors and customers. The private sector cannot get the “next deal” if it cannot fully
explain how to remove space debris to its stakeholders in a convincing way. Therefore,
private sectors have incentive to enhance transparency. The next reason is business models.
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It has often been asked who should pay for debris removal. If we continue ADR, the cost
will increase year by year. On the other hand, if we do not perform ADR, loss by satellite
damages and insurance costs will gradually increase. Above all, economic loss of society
will increase due to the impacts on satellite use; therefore, the break-even point between the
ADR cost and the cumulated cost without ADR will come, in the course of time. From the
long-term viewpoint, an ADR business model can be established and short- and mid-term
business models also established. We will reveal our business model in mid-May. Although
ordinary business requires many funds, but cannot typically make a profit in its early stages,
our model can produce a profit in its first year.
In sum, ADR undertaken by the private sector does not promise to be easy, but it is not an
impossibility.
“Common Sense to Avoid a ‘Tragedy of the Commons’: Necessary Steps for Creating
an Internationally Coordinated Framework for Active Debris Removal”
Professor Souichiro Kozuka, Faculty of Law, Gakushuin University
The space debris problem can be viewed as a “tragedy of the commons.” That is,
everyone acknowledges that it is a problem, but no one takes the initiative to solve the
problem, bearing the responsibility and cost.
Considering this from the perspective of private laws, ownership of space objects must be
discussed. In space debris removal, unlike in the field of space law, consideration of
ownership is important. In the case of space debris in outer space, especially satellites
owned by private companies or upper stages of rockets launched by private companies,
owners must be required to remove them in a responsible way. It seems very difficult from a
legal standpoint to remove a piece of debris because it obstructs outer space activities, with
the owner not being involved. In other words, consent of the owner is necessary. As
concerns Japan, the law of outer space activities provides that an owner should commit
space debris removal to other bodies, or, if not, the government removes the debris and the
owner of the debris must respond to the request for the removal cost.
Because the “preventive principle” is established in the field of international
environmental law, the approach that if a nation leaves an object that can be dangerous to
the surrounding nations or bodies, the nation bears a responsibility internationally is an
established way of thinking. A point in question is whether “to leave an object” means “to
simply leave an object,” or “to leave an object even though there is a measure to be
adopted.” As far as space debris is concerned, there have been no measures adopted. In
addition, it is extremely difficult to foresee the collision of debris with other space objects.
Debris has no negligence because it lost its control. In outer space, one holds negligence
liability, not strict liability; therefore, it is difficult to prove negligence. In addition, “product
liability” is also taken into account. All things considered, the respective nations have no
27
choice but to make their own laws for outer space activities to address such problems. For
example, the laws of outer space activities of respective nations provide that if a nation
views the leaving of space debris in orbit as its responsibility: the nation imposes a duty to
remove the debris upon the owner or operator concerned, in order to avoid such liability; the
law prescribes debris removal as a requirement for the license to launch; or respective
nations establish liability for leaving debris, such as product liability, within their domestic
laws.
“International law: Obstacle to Active Debris Removal and Potential Solutions”
Sa’id Maosteshar, London Institute of Space Policy and Law, UK
To assume what will be included in respective nations’ regulations and laws to facilitate
ADR, one must consider the distinction between public international law and the liabilities
and responsibilities established under private laws.
Agreements such as the Outer Space Treaty and the Liability Convention provide for the
responsibility of states, and that responsibility lies with a state that has national activities in
outer space. Accordingly, the state has the obligation to continually supervise the activities
of their nationals in outer space. For that purpose, registries and approval systems are used,
allowing the state jurisdiction and control over space objects.
With regard to the debris, the question of who is responsible for damage caused by the
debris is an interesting and important one. For damage that occurs in outer space, negligence
must be proven. The definition of negligence in international law differs from that in
domestic laws; negligence does not concern a duty of care, but a duty occurring by an act or
omission. As per international law, this is the definition of negligence. In addition, there is
no obligation under international law to remove a space object after it has performed its
function.
A doubt arises as to whether leaving debris is equivalent to occupying outer space, as
states do not have the right of possession of outer space.
The United Kingdom was the second country to pass a formal Outer Space Act, in 1986.
This Act created a regime for licensing outer space activities. There is a license condition
that requires that the activities of the licensee shall avoid interfering with the activities of
others in the use of outer space. If one leaves a satellite up at the end of its useful life, it can
easily be said to be interfering with the activities of others. Since the Secretary of State has
the power to grant licenses, the Secretary of State can also require a licensee to remove
debris from orbit. Such a mechanism could be employed in other states.
The next topic is who is going to pay for debris removal. One approach to this issue may
be to consider the Intelsat system when it was first conceived. Entities that can benefit from
debris removal invest in and create an organization to remove space debris. Even if one
cannot invest in the organization, one can commission the organization to remove debris for
28
pay. Even a state that does not depend on outer space much can take part in this system.
Who is responsible for what is currently up there? As neither the US nor Russia assume
responsibility, the Intelsat system could be adapted. With some of the technologies making
great progress, the industry of debris removal could be sustainable, if funding can be
collected through the Intelsat system.
Panel 5: Commercial Space Activities and its SSA
Moderator: Mr. Susumu Yoshitomi, Executive Director, Japan Space Forum
Panelists:
Dr. Andrew D’Uva, Adviser to Space Data Association Limited, President of
Providence Access Company, USA
Mr. Paul Welsh, Vice President, Business Development, Analytical Graphics Inc.
(AGI), USA
Mr. Senol Gulgonul, Director, R&D and Satellite Design, Turksat Satellite
Communication and Cable TV AS, Republic of Turkey
Mr. Tomohiro Kusunose, Managing Director, Space Engineering Development Co.,
Ltd.
“Private Sector Leadership in Sustaining Safe Space Operations: the Space Data
Association Example”
Dr. Andrew D’Uva, Adviser to Space Data Association Limited, President of
Providence Access Company, USA
This presentation addresses the question of whether the private sector can operate
sustainable space business. Space is used for various purposes, including military,
commercial, and civil purposes; here, I suggest activity that the private sector can conduct.
Space use can be served or promoted through various activities, including space debris
removal activities that have been considered by governments, national space agencies, and
international institutes. The private sector can complement these governmental activities.
For instance, the Space Data Association (SDA) supports such activities via the private
sector.
The little known SDA was organized and funded by leading communication satellite
operators, such as Eutelsat, Inmarsat, Intelsat, and SES. SDA operates on a not-for-profit
basis, and the activity of the Space Data Center (SDC) covers commercial, civil, and
military operators owning satellites in LEO, HEO, MEO, and GEO. SDC controls and
operates 91 LEO satellites and 267 GEO satellites, and information management is
absolutely secure.
There are three key missions of SDA. The first is to increase safety of flight through
automatic conjunction assessments including planned maneuvers. The second is to help to
mitigate radiofrequency interference, and the third, to maintain up-to-date contact
information for participating satellites.
Collision can be avoided by using the latest data in automatic conjunction assessments.
29
SDA believes it accomplishes collision avoidance better than anyone else today. Collision
avoidance sounds simple, but is actually very hard to do. The information to be provided is
rectified in a common format, allowing operators to convert into the operators’ format. The
important point for operators is that this is also done at an exceptionally low cost, thanks to
SDA’s automatic conjunction assessments. One of the differences between SDA and JSpOC
is radiofrequency interference (RFI) mitigation support. Since JSpOC does not provide such
service, SDA recommends that satellite operators participate in both SDA and JSpOC.
“Commercial SSA Advancements: the Commercial Space Operations Center
(ComSpOC)”
Mr. Paul Welsh, Vice President, Business Development, Analytical Graphics Inc.
(AGI), USA
AGI is a commercial software company celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and
STK, software for satellite orbit analysis, is our flagship product. We also offer other
software to the marketplace, such as software for visualization of satellite information.
The Commercial Space Operations Center (ComSpOC) produces analysis data on the
basis of optical observation data and radar data. Because photographic films have
disappeared, all data have been digitized, and computers’ capabilities have evolved, using
this software, the only software available for this task. To address the point that ComSpOC
will no longer be necessary if SSA is realized, we think ComSpOC will never become
unnecessary, and we view it as a complementary capability to SSA systems. The remote
sensing domain was also once the exclusive domain of government systems, but it has
changed now.
ComSpOC data services include orbit determination, maneuver detection, RFI support,
light curve analysis, launch and early operation support, and proximity monitoring. By
using ComSpOC, satellite operators can increase operational efficiency, improve operation
of geosynchronous satellites in the same orbit, which leads to radio interference, and
increase safety of flight.
“TURKSAT and SSA”
Senol Gulgonul, Director, R&D and Satellite Design, Turksat Satellite Communication
and Cable TV AS, Republic of Turkey
Turksat operates three communication satellites, and is developing one satellite in Japan.
Since 1994, we have been providing satellite broadcasting and communication services for
small receiving stations in Turkey and for the Middle East, the whole of Europe, and the
whole of Africa.
This year, we established an observatory mainly to monitor our space assets or satellites.
With this facility, we can observe all satellites within a few 100 meters accuracy with
30
multiple measurements. Actually, we are able to watch the situation around our satellites by
ourselves. Turksat adopts a co-orbit position. If interference occurs, we notify users,
particularly users in foreign countries, of the occurrence and its cause. Accuracy of the
co-orbit position is determined by orbital parameters. To obtain adjacent satellite orbital
parameters, we depended on JSpOC TLE, or we ask the operator of the adjacent satellite to
provide the parameters. We also perform periodical conjunction assessments using the TLE
database. To conduct collision analysis, a few hundred meters’ accuracy is needed. Space
Data Association (SDA) is a good initiative for this need. Turksat is not a member of SDA
yet, but we are discussing this option, as data sharing among many satellite operators is
important.
ITU regulates the frequency and orbit position of geostationary satellites. However, in the
case of LEO, only the frequency is regulated; the orbit is not regulated. This is one of the
circumstances that worsens the debris problem in LEO. It is true that there are various risks
in a geostationary orbit. If satellites are de-orbited according to ITU regulation, they cannot
be de-orbited more than 300 kilometers away, because of insufficient fuel or loss of control
during de-orbit, and remain near the geostationary Earth orbit. According to ESA, there are
65 such satellites. To solve debris problems, international cooperation and coordination is
required.
“Overview of Himawari 8/9 Ground Control System Development and Operation”
Mr. Tomohiro Kusunose, Managing Director, Space Engineering Development Co.,
Ltd.
We established a special purpose company, Himawari Operation Enterprise Corporation
(HOPE), for a private finance initiative (PFI) project. The term of the contract is from
September 2010 to March 2030, which is for about 20 years. Since constant operation of
satellites will begin in 2015, we will operate the satellites, Himawari-8 and Himawari-9, for
about 15 years. We will make every effort to ensure that this long-term contract will not be
discontinued, and that Himawari-8 will be operated safely.
Our mission is to operate these satellites in orbit for 15 years safely and securely, in
private sector capacity. We will prepare for debris in orbit by, for example, installing a
mechanism to avoid collision with debris, and we hope to finish the 15-year-long term of
operation successfully. For that purpose, we would like to learn various systems for SSA,
presented in this Symposium, and to adopt useful ones to perform and continue safe
operation of Himawari-8 and Himawari-9.
Summary of Discussions: Strengthening Global Partnership in SSA Activities and
What’s Next?
Moderator: Mr. Susumu Yoshitomi (Executive Director, Japan Space Forum)
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Panelists:
Dr. Sergio Marchisio, Professor of Law at the University Sapienza of Rome, Chairman
of European Centre for Space Law (ECSL/ESA), Italy
Dr. Peter Martinez, Chairman of the UN COPUOS Scientific and Technical
Subcommittee’s Working Group on the Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space
Activities, Republic of South Africa
Ms. Stacie Shurchay, Analyst in the Space Policy Branch, J5 Plans and Policy
Directorate, United States Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, USA
Dr. Benjamin Reed, Deputy Project Manager, Satellite Servicing Capabilities office,
GSFC-NASA, USA
Professor Souichiro Kozuka, Faculty of Law, Gakushuin University
Susumu Yoshitomi
In summary of this two-day symposium, this panel discusses “Strengthening Global
Partnership in SSA Activities.” I will ask the panelists to summarize their impressions of
this symposium briefly, within five minutes. After that, I will again ask everyone about what
will come next, or what should we do in the next phase, as described in the title, “and
What’s Next?” Various issues were discussed yesterday and today in this symposium; we
intend to continue to hold this symposium in the years to come, so please answer the
question from your respective standpoints.
Dr. Sergio Marchisio
We have addressed many issues during this symposium from the viewpoint of international
cooperation in future SSA activities and, in my opinion, all of them have been discussed in
depth, providing useful information for all the participants. For my part, I think the
initiatives on TCBMs are important. As stated in several presentations, we cannot take the
benefits of outer space for granted. If the space debris problem worsens, we will not be able
to reap benefits from outer space. Urgent action is necessary. For that purpose, it is
necessary to gain political commitments. The measures recommended by the UN GGE
Consensus Report should be implemented one by one. TCBMs must be adopted in
collective form, at the multilateral level.
Dr. Peter Martinez
I have been involved in the SSA issue for a long period of time at UNCOPUOS, and most
of the discussions there involve top-down approaches. It was interesting to listen to the
presentations on SSA activities in this symposium from the people who are involved in it
from the operations floor level. I hope that the guidelines we are working on in UN
COPUOS will help the people concerned. I intend to strengthen space safety and
32
sustainability through the various guidelines. I think that the audience here fully recognizes
the problems; however, there are 60 or more spacefaring nations, and the number of
emerging space actors will increase further. The emerging space actors are made aware of
the challenges before they enter the space domain, thereby helping them to become
responsible users of space from the earth.
Ms. Stacie Shurchay
I think this is a very diverse and wonderful group, from which I have learned a lot. With
new technologies and initiatives, the commercial base is very strong; it motivates the
governmental base, and encourages us to continue to evolve our policies.
Dr. Benjamin Reed
First, I see the rate of cooperation increasing. It is a good thing that
organizations—international, intergovernmental, commercial, and military—around the
world come together at forums like this. Cooperation appears to be on the upslope. On the
other hand, I also see that the space environment is deteriorating year by year, and the rate
of collisions is not going down. Threats posed by debris are not going away, but the
cooperation for addressing them is improving. I think the challenge for all of us in the future
is what we should do to improve the situation. After hearing what I have heard these two
days, I think we are on the right track, but it is going to take continued diligence on
everyone’s part. I do have hope for the future.
Professor Souichiro Kozuka
Although SSA and long-term sustainability are very closely related to each other, they are
not the same. Active debris removal (ADR) is not the same as either SSA or long-term
sustainability. Therefore, my first point is that there are several topics that are related but are
not equivalent.
My second point is that the interests of the entities involved vary considerably. There are
various interests of nations, space agencies, and the private sector, and services for such
entities will be provided by something like international organizations and by private
companies. International cooperation also varies: there are intergovernmental frameworks
and voluntary organizations created by operators. Various interests are involved.
Mr. Susumu Yoshitomi
Thank you for your impressions of this two-day symposium. We have held the
symposium on SSA three times, and have gained a favorable reputation and requests to
continue to hold the symposium again, from both inside and outside of Japan. As a
Summary of Discussions, I ask the panelists what they should do in the next phase of their
33
respective areas, from their perspective. In order from Dr. Marchisio, please. Dr. Marchisio
said a while ago that the Report of TCBM was finalized, but the question remains how to
implement it. So I ask Dr. Marchisio “What’s next?” Even if you only have a personal
opinion, please tell us.
Dr. Sergio Marchisio
From the perspective of the European Union, the TCBMs mentioned in the GGE Report
are non-legally binding, and some countries have expressed concern that such voluntary
instruments are inherently fragile. However, it is my opinion that they may pave the way for
the adoption of other kinds of measures once their effectiveness is proven and their
practicability demonstrated. I think there has been a growing trend among nations to agree
on the International Code of Conduct (ICoC), one of the initiatives; however, the ICoC is
only one of the options. What will become of the ICoC outside the UN Framework? What
should be done to streamline the process and rebrand to open-ended consultations? The
ICoC is now at a critical juncture. Whether we can reach a successful conclusion or not, we
have to ask for various opinions from various standpoints and consult with many third
countries. In any case, it is important to note that any choice for the way forward should
take into account the possible involvement of the UN, and in this line, the European Union
should continue and intensify, together with other countries, such as Japan.
I would conclude that the lessons of this symposium are that we need more international
cooperation.
Dr. Peter Martinez
UNCOPUOS has been examined for the past two and a half years, and study is still
ongoing. A course of action of the Working Group is now in the hands of the member states.
Currently, 33 candidate guidelines are drafted, although some member states will propose
additional guidelines or amendments for the guidelines. We will make efforts not to reduce
them, and will have a draft for the June session of COPUOS. Finally, we will be looking at
concluding the work in the June session of COPUOS next year. Then we will consider how
this result should be released, either as a stand-alone General Assembly Resolution or as an
annex to the COPUOS Report. We will then go into an implementation phase. In the future,
GGE/TCBM and the Report on long-term sustainability may be linked together at UN level.
Ms. Stacie Shurchay
Though I am not able to relate details, the space unit of USTRATCOM will update some
strategies. In addition to our commercial initiatives and agreements, we also work bilaterally
with a number of countries and have signed five governmental agreements. We will also
cooperate with countries that may not have space policy offices.
34
The JSpOC has a host of issues that it will be addressing in the future. We are looking
forward to JMS, a newly introduced system.
Dr. Benjamin Reed
What is next for us can be addressed in two categories: legacy and future activities.
Legacy projects are those we have done, that we continue to monitor in orbit. For that
purpose, we continue to develop technologies. We will focus on rendezvous centers,
algorithms, capture techniques, robotics, tools, high-speed computing, etc. to enable
autonomous operations. From the viewpoint of de-orbit, I am interested to see what happens
with the JAXA proposal for using the HTV vehicle with a tether for increased orbit decay.
For future projects, I think having additional discussions at this level on cooperative
servicing aids is the right course of action.
Professor Souichiro Kozuka
From the legal perspective on debris removal, I have two answers to the question. One is
that only discussing an ideal system will result in only a dream. How to realize it on an
international platform will be a problem. That is, where—for example, on UNCOPUOS,
intergovernmental platforms, or private sector frameworks—it will be done and who take
the leadership will remain questions.
Another response, which can be a prerequisite for operational aspects, is that points of the
problem have to be made clear. There are several entities studying, examining, and releasing
legal frameworks for debris removal, and these should keep up dialogues to clarify points
and reach consensus. In such situations, common understandings among lawyers, engineers,
and policy-makers must be established.
Mr. Susumu Yoshitomi
Thank you. In our ADR session, how to make the space situation known to the public is
mentioned. Mr. Ito mentioned the movie “Gravity.” Last year, in the 2nd symposium, Mr.
Yukimura introduced his comic, “PLANETES,” in which the young protagonist works for
debris removal in the 2060s–2070s. Many students who read it and had deep interest in
outer space participated in the 2nd symposium.
In a sense, public education in this area does not go well without international
cooperation, as Dr. Marchisio said. Though it may be impertinent of us, a private
foundation, we would like to offer an opportunity to tell the public about the space debris
situation and to be helpful to the government of Japan in contributing to solve the space
debris problem. As we hear various opinions on international cooperation from various
standpoints in Japan, we held the 1st symposium two years ago, and this is now the 3rd.
At the same time, the means of educating the public is also a big problem. Without public
35
understanding in Japan and other countries, activities to solve the problem through national
budgeting will not be supported by the public.
Thank you for participating in this Summary of Discussions. I hereby close this panel
session.
Closing Remarks
Mr. Shogo Kitahara, President, Japan Space Forum
I would like to express my appreciation to all of you for your enthusiastic discussion
over the past two days. Thanks to your cooperation, we have completed all of our
programs on schedule, and, acknowledging our panelists of the Closing Session, we have
established a good reputation of fruitful discussion. All of our efforts in holding this
symposium have been worthwhile. I believe this symposium can contribute to sustainable
space development and use, from this point on. We at the Japan Space Forum will
continue promoting our activity, and look forward to your continuous support.
In closing, I sincerely thank the participants from Japan and abroad for their attendance
and participation in spite of busy schedules, and I also thank our sponsors for their
support.
36
3. Results of Questionnaires
(1) Why did you register for this SSA symposium?
 I want to learn about the latest outer space activities.
 To hear about a future Japanese SSA system.
 I’m interested in peaceful use of outer space.
 To obtain information.
 I’m interested in the business of debris removal.
 For my studies.
 To staff our booth.
(2) What is your overall impression of the SSA symposium’s Keynote Speeches and
Special Report?
 Large parts of contents overlapped the contents of last year’s symposium, but some were
new.
 I am doing debris removal-related work, and the symposium is very informative due to
its multifaceted aspects, such as political and legal aspects.
 I look forward to the potential of SSA activities undertaken by the private sector.
 Too much weight is given to discussion on TCBM. I think it is because the US
Departments of State and Defense are focused on this. Why don’t you shift direction
gradually? I have no clear ideas on this, but perhaps the risk for LTS could be
re-examined and there could be reporting on countermeasures, for example.
 I couldn’t understand the technical terms, but the session on ADR was very interesting. I
intend to consider measures to prevent and address space debris in further detail.
 The approach to ADR from the commercial sector’s point of view is fresh to me.
 I think the debris problem is linked to security issues. It is necessary to have
opportunities to make it known to, to educate, and share it with people concerned with
outer space. I expect such opportunities. (Not only should some groups be aware of these
problems, but also the general public.)
 Hearing Keynote Speeches by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense of Japan and
Department of Defense of the United States, I now understand their ways of thinking.
 I wanted to get handouts of the speeches, if possible.
 Through the presentations, I can learn about the ways of thinking by various countries.
 It was helpful to my understanding to hear an outline of SSA.
 I learned that the preservation of the space environment must be a high priority in this
age, as it is very important to outer space use over the long term. I also learned that
international cooperation and a common understanding is required to conserve the space
environment, although respective nations may have different intentions about its use.
 Discussions were considerably international and political, and were useful to deepen my
37
general education.
 I learned much about subject matter that is not addressed in depth in my university
classes.
 The Symposium had substantial merit, although discussion was less enthusiastic than last
year’s.
 I was not able to understand Panels 1 and 2 of the first day because they were vague.
Moderators should stimulate the panels. It is regrettable that the panels finished early,
even though the panelists made special efforts to convene.
(3) What is your overall impression of the SSA symposium’s Panel Discussions?
 ADR by the private sector is very interesting; I am developing a deep interest in space
ventures.
 I had read of the symposium in the program, and came to hear the panel on ADR in
particular.
 In the panel discussions in which private sector representatives took part, I was pleased
to hear their opinions, which I seldom hear.
 I benefitted from learning about details of SDA in Panel 5. Such graphical information is
useful.
 I noted with interest that SSA is started in earnest in the United States and other
countries. I was interested to hear about the way Japan handles SSA.
 I was intrigued by the concept that space is a global commons.
 I think that a guiding principle common to the world is required. Is the United Nations
working on this?
 Presentations in which speakers only read their manuscripts to the audience should be
improved. Slides with small fonts were difficult to understand. I hope that speakers will
improve their presentation skills. A lecture with poor presentation should be withdrawn
from the program.
 Although my knowledge of the topics is not in-depth, I learned a lot.
 I came to the symposium in the middle, and I could not find a simultaneous interpretation
receiver.
 Presentations by SDA and AGI were interesting. I think the introduction of Himawari by
SED was off the topic of the symposium. It is regrettable that the focus on SSA became
blurred.
 The lecture by Professor Kozuka in Panel 4 (ADR) was very interesting. I was interested
in the viewpoint on the direction of laws concerning international debris removal. China
has debris satellites in GEO, and I think that a law to enable removal of these satellites is
needed.
 The moderators’ skills were reflected in their management of the Panels, which was not
38
good.
(4) Please write freely what you think of the SSA symposium as a whole.
 Thank you for holding the symposium and letting me know about it.
 This is the third time I have participated in the symposium. Excellent summary reports
were published last year, and the year before. By publishing the reports every year, there
will be good material to inform about the circumstances of SSA in Japan. I expect this
report will also be published this year. I thank those who summarize and edit the report.
 I feel the symposium was somewhat incongruous, because too much weight was given to
TCBM.
 I agree with Professor Kozuka’s opinion in Summary of Discussions that TCBM and
TLE removal are alike, but different.
 The uniqueness of the symposium will become clear if it is differentiated from other
debris-related symposia by specializing in SSA. If LTS is the theme of the symposium, a
broader discussion is expected.
 I hope the symposium will be continued.
 In spite of the available screen and OHP, only a limited number of speakers used them.
 I guess participants gathered only in Day 1, since there were no Keynote Speeches on
Day 2.
 Simultaneous interpretation was better than that of last year.
 I am glad that I was able to hear various opinions from different viewpoints.
 I hope that materials in which the points of the lectures are summarized will be handed
out. Is this possible, or are they classified?
 I am glad to have this rare opportunity to hear lectures by foreign VIPs. I understood the
worldwide problems of space use. I noticed that JAXA’s status has changed.
 I want to hear more technical discussion, such as the questions by a JAXA engineer.
 My curiosity was stimulated by lectures and questions by speakers I rarely see.
 Because the period from February to March is usually the end of the fiscal year in Japan,
there are many people who want to participate in the symposium, but are busy and
cannot. I wish that their circumstances could be considered.
 It would be wonderful if participants and panelists from China and India could take part
in the symposium.
 Why not address more concrete activities of SSA?
 The contents didn’t fit the theme. Professor Kozuka of Gakushuin University pointed this
out in the last panel discussion, and I quite agree with him. It would be better for the
symposium to concentrate on specific points.
39
4. Summary
I would like to express my appreciation to all our guests, speakers, panelists, and a total
of 400 participants for your invaluable contributions to this third symposium, which lasted
two days, and is now successfully concluded.
We are especially grateful to Mr. Ichita Yamamoto (Minister of State for Space Policy),
Mr. Yoshiya Muto (Councillor, National Security Secretariat, Cabinet Secretariat), Mr. Jun
Shimmi (Ambassador in charge of UN Affairs and Ambassador in charge of Cyber Policy,
Deputy Director-General, Foreign Policy Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Mr. Keisuke
Isogai (Deputy Director-General, Research and Development Bureau, Ministry of
Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology), and Mr. Jota Yamamoto (Director
General for International Affairs, Bureau of Defense Policy, Ministry of Defense) for
participating in an international symposium held by a private organization, and giving their
guest speeches in spite of their busy schedules in the session of the Diet. We also thank the
Keynote speakers, Mr. Junya Nishimoto (Director-General, Office of National Space Policy,
Cabinet Office), Mr. Frank A. Rose (Deputy Assistant Secretary for Space and Defense
Policy, Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance, US Department of State,
USA), Mr. Douglas Loverro (Deputy Assistant Secretary for Space Policy, Office of the
Under Secretary Defense for Policy, US Department of Defense, USA), Dr. Yasushi
Horikawa (Chairman of United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space),
and Dr. Masanori Homma (Executive Chief Engineer, Japan Aerospace Exploration
Agency), as well as Ms. Jeanne Unemori Skog (President & CEO, Maui Economic
Development Board, USA), who presented a Special Report on the AMOS Conference,
which cooperates with our symposium in Maui.
This year we adopted a format of panel discussions, and held lectures and discussions by
invited specialists in respective areas as follows:
Panel 1: International Code of Conduct and the Long-term Sustainability of Outer
Space Activities
Panel 2: United Nations Group of Governmental Experts on Transparency and
Confidence-Building Measures (UN-GGE/TCBM)
Panel 3: Possible Global SSA Networking Cooperation
Panel 4: Active Debris Removal (ADR)
Panel 5: Commercial Space Activity and its SSA
It was reported that EU-led discussions on the International Code of Conduct were
conducted with many countries outside the UN framework, and that the Code will be
finalized in 2014, although problems resulting from the fact that the Code is not being
40
formulated within the UN framework were indicated. It was also reported that, concerning
long-term sustainability of outer space activities, best practice guidelines have been
discussed in Group A (sustainable space utilization), Group B (SSA), Group C (space
weather), and Group D (regulatory regimes) under the Science and Technology
Subcommittee (STSC) at UN COPUOS, and will be finalized in a year.
The Report concerning transparency and confidence-building measures (TCBMs) was
finalized by the Group of Governmental Experts, reported to the UN Secretary-General, and
introduced in the UN General Assembly. Cooperation in the global SSA network has been
continuously promoted, led by JSpOC of the United States Air Force.
This is the first time this symposium discussed active debris removal (ADR). Although
ADR is expected to be the only measure to prevent the debris environment from worsening
and to improve it, both technology development and consensus on legal frameworks are
needed. This symposium provided an overview of the present state of efforts for them in
Japan and the world. ADR is an important topic to be addressed, from this point on. In
addition, although the actual status of commercial outer space activities are rarely brought to
center stage because they can be closely related to business management, the private
sector’s expectations of public organizations, such as the United Nations and the
governments of the various nations of the world, were revealed.
In the first symposium, held the year before last, expectations for Japan’s presence in the
SSA area were expressed by the Western participants. To respond to these expectations, last
year we held the second symposium with invited representatives from emerging spacefaring
nations in Asia, and focused on the necessity of global SSA activity. In Japan, the new
Basic Plan for Space Policy was established in January of last year, substantially
incorporating the importance of SSA activity, as compared to the old Basic Plan. As a
result, various efforts around SSA activity have been initiated and carried out in the Office
of National Space Policy (Cabinet Office), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of
Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and Ministry of Defense. In particular,
investigations commissioned by the Office of National Space Policy and Ministry of
Defense concerning the construction of Japan’s future SSA system by the private sector and
a budget request for 2015 are being examined at the governmental level. As an organizer of
the symposium, it is the greatest of all delights that such activities in the government have
been advancing along the direction we originally set our sights on, indicating that the phase
of investigation and discussion is about to shift to the next phase of implementation.
41
5. Acknowledgments
This symposium was funded by Infrastructure Development Program for Promoting
International Scientific and Technological Cooperation in FY2013. It is not necessary to
point out that the space debris problem is one of our national challenges. We thank the Japan
Science and Technology Agency again for meeting the challenge to address this problem
and for adopting our proposal in spite of the fact that we are a private organization.
This symposium could not have been a success without the cooperation of our guests,
including Mr. Ichita Yamamoto, who also participated last year, and key government
officials, including the Councillor of National Security Secretariat (NSS), Cabinet
Secretariat, who participated for the first time, and speakers both from Japan and abroad.
We are deeply grateful to them.
We also thank the Office of National Space Policy of the Cabinet Office; the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs; the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; the
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; the Ministry of Defense; and the Society of
Japanese Aerospace Companies for their support.
In addition, we thank the following eleven industry sponsors for their help in holding the
symposium, networking reception and facility tour: Analytical Graphics Inc.; Fujitsu
Limited; High-Reliability Engineering & Components Corporation; IHI AEROSPACE Co.,
Ltd.; IHI Corporation; LSAS Tec Co., Ltd.; Mitsubishi Electric Corporation; Mitsubishi
Heavy Industries, Ltd.; NEC Corporation; NEC TOSHIBA Space Systems, Ltd.; and SKY
Perfect JSAT Corporation. We also thank the Society of Japanese Aerospace Companies for
its help with publishing activity connected to the symposium.
Last, we thank members of the Program Advisory Committee: Dr. Susumu Toda (Chair of
the Committee; Former Executive Director of JAXA), Dr. Setsuko Aoki (Professor, Faculty
of Policy Management, Keio University), Dr. Toru Sato (Professor of Graduate School
of Informatics, Kyoto University), Dr. Kazuto Suzuki (Professor of International Politics at
Graduate School of Law, Hokkaido University), and Dr. Atsushi Sunami (Associate
Professor of National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies) for appropriate instructions and
advice. We also thank AAA communications Inc. and affiliated companies for support
behind the scenes.
This program was conducted under the auspices of the following organizational structure:
General manager
Shogo Kitahara
Operational manager
Susumu Yoshitomi
42
Planning
Invitation
Accounting
Publication
Operations
Operations
Operations
Operations
Sadao Aoki
Takeshi Shiraishi
Mineko Saitoh
Yasuo Fusejima
Yoshinori Kobayashi
Nobukazu Ohnishi
Tomohito Narita
Tomoko Enoki
43
Published on March 2014
Prepared by Japan Space Forum
Shin-Ochanomizu Urban Trinity Bldg. 2F
3-2-1, Kandasurugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0062 Japan
URL: http://www.jsforum.or.jp/
Printing and binding: MICHIWA SHOHKOH CO., LTD.
For inquiries, please contact us at:
Department of Science and Applications, Japan Space Forum
Tel: 03-6206-4903
Fax: 03-5296-7010
(C) 2014 Japan Space Forum
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise.

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