Overview
- A multidisciplinary team led by University of Surrey engineer Jin Xuan published the framework on December 1, calling for a system-wide transition across spacecraft design, operations, and retirement.
- Citing iScience data, the authors note debris stems primarily from fragmentation events at 65%, followed by decommissioned spacecraft and rocket bodies at 30%, and mission-related objects at 5%.
- Recommendations include durable, modular, repairable spacecraft; space stations repurposed as refueling and maintenance hubs; and in‑orbit manufacturing to reduce the number of launches.
- The paper urges soft‑landing technologies to enable component recovery plus active debris capture using nets or robotic arms to recycle materials and lower collision risks.
- The authors highlight AI-enabled tracking, data analysis, and simulation to prevent collisions and cut physical testing, alongside calls for international policy frameworks to incentivize reuse and recovery.