Responsible Space
EUTELSAT IS COMMITTED TO THE RESPONSIBLE USE OF SPACE
Eutelsat is a founding member of the Net Zero Space, committed to ensuring zero debris is created as a result of Eutelsat’s GEO activities.
For many years, the space debris management policies implemented by Eutelsat Group made us a responsible global satellite operator. We’ve maintained those high standards – making constant efforts to protect the Earth’s orbital environment and the sustainability of space operations.
Eutelsat operates in full compliance with the following Acts:
• French Space Operations Act
• UK Outer Space Act 1986
• UK Space Industry Act 2018
• Upcoming EU Space Act
SPACE DEBRIS MANAGEMENT POLICY FOR GEOSTATIONARY SATELLITES
Since the early 2000s, Eutelsat Group has maintained a responsible space debris management policy, combining operational experience with international standards. Our geostationary satellite operations are ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certified.
All satellites comply with the French Space Operations Act (2005) and international regulations throughout their operational lives, including decommissioning. We established a Space Debris Mitigation Plan in 2005, aligned with international and European guidelines, detailing end-of-life operations, passivation, and collision risk minimization.
At end-of-life (15–20 years), satellites are moved to a graveyard orbit 300 km above GEO using on-board propellant, ensuring they do not re-enter the protected GEO region or Earth’s atmosphere. Nearly 30 satellites have been re-orbited and passivated with a near 100% success rate. Collision risks are assessed using data from USSTRATCOM, the EU SST anti-collision service, and the Space Data Association database.
Eutelsat has the objective to be the first satellite operator to have certified EU label by 2026.
Eutelsat is a founding member of the Net Zero Space initiative and a signatory of the ESA’s joint statement for a sustainable space environment by 2030.
SPACE DEBRIS MANAGEMENT POLICY FOR LOW EARTH ORBIT SATELLITES
Eutelsat Group’s Gen 1 OneWeb LEO constellation has up to 48 satellites per plane across 12 planes, operating at an altitude of 1,200 km with 4 km of separation for passive safety. Satellites are launched in batches of 34 to 40, injected into orbits between 450 and 600 km, using electric propulsion to reach mission altitude. At end-of-life, they re-orbit to around 250 km, with fuel tanks emptied and systems powered down before atmospheric re-entry. Satellites are designed for potential Active Debris Removal (ADR), with an Astroscale demonstration mission planned for 2026.
Typical operational life is 6.5–9 years, with LEOP and EOR phases taking 6 months and re-orbiting taking about one year. The constellation operates under UK and international regulations and is managed by an automated ground system using real-time data from sources like the US Space Force and LeoLabs for collision avoidance. Eutelsat has bilateral Space Traffic Management agreements and has co-published best practices with other operators.
To date, Eutelsat has deorbited 2 satellites, raised the orbits of over 600, planned half a million maneuvers, and managed over 3 million close approaches with other space objects. No debris is intentionally released during any mission phase.