What is Zero Debris Charter (ZDC) ?

Why in News ? Twelve countries and European Space Agency (ESA) have recently signed the Zero Debris Charter (ZDC).

About ZDC:

• The Zero Debris Charter (ZDC) is a new initiative launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) in November 2023.
• It’s the first of its kind to bring together a wide range of space agencies and organizations around the world.
• Established in – 2004 under the framework agreement between ESA and European Union (EU).
• Objective – To make space debris-neutral by 2030.
• Signatories – Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden and United Kingdom.

Initiatives for Space Debris Mitigation  :

International Cooperation:

• Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC): This international forum established in 1993 works on coordinating efforts between spacefaring nations. They issue guidelines for debris mitigation practices.
• World Economic Forum – Space Industry Debris Mitigation Recommendations: This 2023 initiative by the World Economic Forum encourages responsible behavior by space industry stakeholders. It sets recommendations for debris mitigation and promotes data sharing and coordination.

Treaties and Policy:

• Space Debris Mitigation Policies: Several space agencies like ESA have adopted their own debris mitigation policies. ESA’s “Zero Debris” approach aims to significantly limit debris generation by 2030.

Outer Space Treaty :

India:

• Debris Free Space Missions (DFSM) by 2030 being implemented by ISRO System for Safe & Sustainable Space Operations Management (IS4OM).
• Project NETRA (NEtwork for space object TRacking and Analysis) for Space situational awareness.