What is this standard about?
ISO 24113:2019 is the top-level standard in a family of standards addressing space debris mitigation and defines the primary space debris mitigation requirements applicable to all elements of unmanned systems launched into, or passing through, near-Earth space, including launch vehicle orbital stages, operating spacecraft and any objects released as part of normal operations.
The requirements contained in ISO 24113 are intended to reduce the growth of space debris by ensuring that spacecraft and launch vehicle orbital stages are designed, operated and disposed of in a manner that prevents them from generating debris throughout their orbit lifetime. The requirements are also intended to reduce the casualty risk on ground associated with atmospheric re-entry of space objects.
The general aim of space debris mitigation is to reduce the growth of space debris by ensuring that spacecraft and launch vehicle orbital stages are designed, operated and disposed of in a manner that prevents them from generating debris throughout their orbit lifetime. Another aim of space debris mitigation is to ensure that space objects re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere cause no harm.