Atmospheric ablation: the potential environmental impact of space debris re-entering Earth’s upper atmosphere
The UK Space Agency is making available up to £300,000 of grant funding to map out the current state of research into atmospheric ablation (knowns, unknowns and gaps in knowledge), within the wider technical, geopolitical and socio-ecological context, in order to develop a viable research programme with short, medium and long-term goals.
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Space sustainability is a priority for the UK (and globally), and we must take action to preserve the outer space environment for future generations.
While space debris presents a real and increasing risk to the space-based services we all rely on daily, which we are trying to tackle through a national debris removal mission, we do not know enough about the potential negative impact of deorbiting spacecraft and other space objects on Earth’s atmosphere or climate.
We are therefore commissioning a study to review existing research and guide the scope and type of research required to effectively aid decision-making on this important issue.
This study is expected to take 6 months.
Applications must be submitted to sustainability@ukspaceagency.gov.uk by 12pm on 20 January 2024.
Last updated 3 January 2024 + show all updates
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In the Deadline and contact section of the Application guidance - HTML attachment, the deadline has been changed from 19 January to 20 January.
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Grant funding agreement (GFA) attachment added.
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First published.