Purpose

The purpose of this NASA Procedural Requirements (NPR) is to provide requirements to implement NASA's policy for limiting orbital debris generation per the U.S. National Space Policy of 2006, Section 11, the U.S. Government Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices, and as a part of NASA's policy for safety and mission assurance programs as defined in NASA Policy Directive (NPD) 8700.1, paragraph 1a. Any noncompliances to orbital debris requirements, including those for reasons of mission requirements and cost effectiveness, require a variance to this NPR.

The U.S. National Space Policy of 2006, Section 11, states:

"Orbital debris poses a risk to continued reliable use of space-based services and operations and to the safety of persons and property in space and on Earth. The United States shall seek to minimize the creation of orbital debris by government and non-government operations in space in order to preserve the space environment for future generations. Toward that end: - Departments and agencies shall continue to follow the United States Government Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices, consistent with mission requirements and cost effectiveness, in the procurement and operation of spacecraft, launch services, and the operation or tests and experiments in space; - The Secretaries of Commerce and Transportation, in coordination with the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, shall continue to address orbital debris issues through their respective licensing procedures; and - The United States shall take a leadership role in international fora to encourage foreign nations and international organizations to adopt policies and practices aimed at debris minimization and shall cooperate in the exchange of information on debris research and the identification of improved debris mitigation practices."

The U.S. Government Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices provides guidance on what areas to include in an orbital debris program.

NPD 8700.1, NASA Policy for Safety and Mission Success, addresses the inclusion of Safety and Mission Assurance (SMA) as an integral part of every NASA program and project to protect the public, NASA workforce, high-value equipment and property, and the environment. Orbital debris is stated as one of the SMA disciplines to be included.

This NPR specifies how to implement requirements and responsibilities for limiting orbital debris as a part of the NASA program/project and NASA SMA activities, including requirements on orbital debris assessments (ODA), reporting, and engineering processes. Those requirements and responsibilities for limiting orbital debris which are solely the responsibility of NASA personnel are defined in this NPR. As companions to this NPR, NASA Safety Standard (NSS) 1740.14, Guidelines and Assessment Procedures for Limiting Orbital Debris; NASA Standard (NASA-STD) 8719.14, Process for Limiting Orbital Debris; and NASA-Handbook (NHBK) 8719.14, Handbook for Limiting Orbital Debris, provide details on orbital debris assessments (ODA), reporting, and engineering processes needed for limiting orbital debris.

This NPR, the associated NSS 1740.14, NASA-STD 8719.14, and NHBK 8719.14 are the NASA implementation of the applicable documents listed in paragraph P.4. Full implementation and compliance with this document will ensure NASA compliance with the applicable documents in paragraph P.4, to the extent cited in this NPR.

This NPR shall not be construed as conferring upon any international body, agency, or committee the right to place upon the U. S. Government or NASA any restrictions or conditions as to its space operations unless required by separate agreement or treaty.