Responsible End-of-Life Management for GEO Satellites

Geostationary satellites can operate for decades. When a satellite reaches end-of-life, it may still remain in orbit indefinitely. Responsible end-of-life management is about reducing long-tail risk while operating strictly within legal and regulatory frameworks.

Why end-of-life needs a plan

GEO is a uniquely valuable orbital regime. Retired satellites that remain in operational corridors can create persistent risk, complicate coordination, and reduce confidence in long-term sustainability. A plan provides clear governance, safety gates, and accountability.

What responsible end-of-life looks like

• Owner authorization: Engagements begin only with clear consent from the asset owner or authorized representative.
• Regulatory alignment: Activities proceed only with applicable approvals and oversight.
• Inspection-first posture: Standoff inspection and characterization precede any physical interaction.
• Reversible actions: Mission design prioritizes steps that can be paused or reversed without increasing risk.
• Documented safety gates: Progression occurs only after clear, predefined criteria are met.

Outcomes that matter

Responsible end-of-life management is not a single action—it’s a sequence designed to deliver measurable outcomes:

• Reduced long-term collision and interference risk.
• Improved situational awareness through high-level characterization.
• Clear governance and accountability for all parties involved.

What we do not publish

For safety and security reasons, we do not publish operational parameters, proximity procedures, or target lists on the public website. This is a hard guardrail for responsible communications.

How owners and regulators engage

Owners, regulators, and partners can reach us through the contact page. We also maintain dedicated routes for owners and government & regulators.