Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Space
  • /
  • Over 40 organisations sign Memorandum of Principles for Space Sustainability

Space Events

Over 40 organisations sign Memorandum of Principles for Space Sustainability

Science Minister George Freeman hosted a Space Sustainability Symposium yesterday at the Royal Society in London, during which he was presented with a new Memorandum of Principles for Space Sustainability signed by more than 40 organisations.

Image by Chris J Mitchell / copyright Shutterstock

The symposium brought together leaders from the space industry, finance, academia and insurance to discuss a sustainable future for space. The UK government is committed to tackling the imminent threat of space junk jeopardising the future of space exploration.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025

The Memorandum of Principles for Space Sustainability is designed to create a market that incentivises sustainable behaviours. It was prepared by the new Earth-Space Sustainability Initiative, which was established with support from the UK Space Agency. The Memorandum will be a living document, with over 40 signatories including OneWeb and EchoStar to date.

Also yesterday, His Majesty King Charles III unveiled the Astra Carta seal to mark the launch of the Sustainable Markets Initiative’s Astra Carta framework at Buckingham Palace.

UK Minister of State at the new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, George Freeman MP said: "Satellite communications are now vital to our daily lives, from SatNav to satellite TV, and defence to air traffic control. But space ‘junk’ from defunct satellites to spent rocket stages, and even small flakes of paint now pose an increasing threat to both commercial satellites and our ability to further explore space.

"We cannot allow the growing problem of space debris to undermine our ability to harness space for global good. We have both a moral duty to future generations and an economic interest to safeguard space sustainability.

“Failing to act is not an option. We must establish an international framework for the commercial space sector to ensure it is minimising new debris, clearing junk and investing in in-flight servicing, retrieval and advanced satellite technologies, to maximise the efficient use of the space spectrum by better connectivity of satellites.

“This needs global leadership which the UK has committed to provide as part of our National Space Strategy. Only through international cooperation can we meet our space sustainability goals and it is in line with this commitment that we have signed a Memorandum of Principles today, to create a global space market which rewards sustainable behaviours by working with other responsible space nations to set the standards for the world to follow.”

Advertisement
Teledyne

Ian Annett, Deputy CEO at the UK Space Agency, said: “Sustainable practices are crucial if we want to guarantee the safe and prosperous use of space for future generations.

“This is a huge priority for the UK Space Agency and today we have unveiled a set of principles to inform a new standard that will ensure space companies can put sustainability at the heart of their plans in a way that encourages investment and growth across the sector.

“It’s a landmark moment that demonstrates the UK’s commitment to responsible activity in space, backing the government’s Plan for Space Sustainability and sending a message to the world about the importance of protecting the environment beyond our skies.”

The events yesterday also mark one year since the UK government released the first ever Plan for Sustainability, including a range of measures to improve responsibility across the space sector. This includes UK Space Agency investments in Active Debris Removal technologies.
 


 

UK Moonlight team expands

Space Events

UK Moonlight team expands

18 July 2025

Viasat, SSTL and MDA Space have announced they are working together to develop designs and proposals for a lunar orbiting communications satellite system around the Moon, called Moonlight.

MDA Space UK to prime ESA and UKSA regenerative 5G D2D comms from LEO

Space

MDA Space UK to prime ESA and UKSA regenerative 5G D2D comms from LEO

16 July 2025

MDA Space Ltd today announced that it will prime SkyPhi, a new mission funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the UK Space Agency (UKSA) that will enable regenerative 5G direct-to-device (D2D) satellite communications from Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

University of Surrey launches Space Institute

Space

University of Surrey launches Space Institute

16 July 2025

With the UK's £19 billion space economy surging, government and industry urgently need faster research, innovation and skilled talent – yet more than half of space organisations report critical shortages, a challenge now being tackled by the newly launched Surrey Space Institute at the University of Surrey.

Pioneering programme to develop horizontal space launch

Space

Pioneering programme to develop horizontal space launch

15 July 2025

Ahead of the UK Space Conference (Manchester, 16th-17th July 2025), Frazer-Nash has announced it is leading a new research programme, known as INVICTUS, to develop a comprehensive concept design for a vehicle and its integrated systems, with the goal of building and flying a Mach 5-capable aircraft at the edge of space by early 2031.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025
Celestia UK starts building world’s first Ka-band multi-beam gateway

Space Events

Celestia UK starts building world’s first Ka-band multi-beam gateway

15 July 2025

Celestia UK is announcing at the UK Space Conference 2025 (Manchester, 16th-17th July 2025) that it has commenced the preproduction stage of a new generation of ground station gateway.

Bright Ascension launches strategic plan with new leadership team

Space

Bright Ascension launches strategic plan with new leadership team

14 July 2025

Bright Ascension Ltd has announced the appointment of a new CEO and the launch of its five-year strategic plan.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025