![](media/image1.wmf){width="1.0in" height="0.8534722222222222in"}
**NASA Procedural Requirements**

**NPR 8715.6**

Effective Date: August 17, 2007

Expiration Date: August 17, 2012

**NASA Procedural Requirements for Limiting Orbital Debris**

Responsible Office: Office of Safety and Mission Assurance

**NASA Procedural Requirements**

**NPR 8715.6**

Effective Date: August 17, 2007

Expiration Date: August 17, 2012

**NASA Procedural Requirements for Limiting Orbital Debris**

Responsible Office: Office of Safety and Mission Assurance

**TABLE OF CONTENTS**

**[Cover]{.underline}**

**[Change History]{.underline}**

**[Preface]{.underline}**

P.1 PURPOSE

P.2 APPLICABILITY

P.3 AUTHORITY

P.4 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

P.5 MEASUREMENT/VERIFICATION

P.6 CANCELLATION

**[CHAPTER 1. General Information]{.underline}**

1.1 Objectives of Limiting Orbital Debris

1.2 Description of Orbital Debris

1.3 Roles and Responsibilities

1.3.1 Chief, Safety and Mission Assurance, Office of Safety and Mission
Assurance (Chief/OSMA)

1.3.2 Program's Mission Directorate Associate Administrator (MDAA)

1.3.3 Associate Administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate
(AA/SOMD)

1.3.4 Associate Administrator, Exploration Systems Mission Directorate
(AA/ESMD)

1.3.5 Assistant Administrator, Office of External Relations (AA/OER)

1.3.6 Assistant Administrator, Office of Public Affairs

1.3.7 NASA Office of the General Counsel

1.3.8 NASA Headquarters Environmental Management Division

1.3.9 John F. Kennedy Space Center Launch Services Program Manager
(KSC/LSPM)

1.3.10 NASA Center Safety and Mission Assurance (SMA) Directors

1.3.11 NASA Orbital Debris Program Office (NASA ODPO)

1.3.12 SMA Technical Authority

1.3.13 NASA Program/Project Manager

1.3.14 NASA Planetary Protection Officer (NASA PPO)

**[CHAPTER 2. Program/Project Development and Prelaunch
Preparations]{.underline}**

2.1 Orbital Debris Program Setup and Control

2.2 Orbital Debris Risk Assessments

2.2.1 Orbital Debris Assessment Report (ODAR)

2.2.2 End-of-Mission Plan (EOMP)

2.2.3 NASA ODPO Review

2.2.4 Risk Acceptance

**[CHAPTER 3. Program/Project Operations]{.underline}**

3.1 Design

3.2 Monitoring During Spaceflight

3.3 EOM Actions

3.4 Conjunction Assessments During Mission Operations

3.5 Special Requirements for Spacecraft Carrying Humans

**[APPENDICES]{.underline}**

**Appendix A. Terms and Definitions**

**Appendix B. Acronyms**

**[Preface]{.underline}**

P.1 PURPOSE

P.1.1 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.

P.1.2 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."

P.1.3 The U.S. Government Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices
provides guidance on what areas to include in an orbital debris program.

P.1.4 NPD 8700.1, NASA Policy for Safety and Mission Success, addresses
the inclusion of SMA as an integral part of every NASA program and
project to protect the public, astronauts, and high-value equipment.
Orbital debris is stated as one of the SMA disciplines to be included.

P.1.5 This NPR specifies how to implement an orbital debris program as a
part of the NASA program/project and NASA SMA activities. Those
requirements and responsibilities for limiting orbital debris which are
solely the responsibility of NASA personnel are defined in this NPR. As
a companion to this NPR, NASA Safety Standard (NSS) 1740.14, Procedures
for Limiting Orbital Debris, provides details on orbital debris
assessments (ODA), reporting, and engineering processes needed for
limiting orbital debris.

P.1.6 This NPR and the associated NSS 1740.14 are the NASA
implementation of the applicable documents listed in paragraph P.4. Full
implementation and compliance with this document will assure NASA
compliance with the applicable documents in paragraph P.4, to the extent
cited in this NPR.

P.1.7 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.

P.2 APPLICABILITY

P.2.1 This NPR is applicable to NASA Headquarters and Centers, including
Component Facilities; the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Applied Physics
Laboratory, and other NASA contractors and grantees as specified in
their contracts or grants; and to other organizations (i.e., commercial
partners, other Federal agencies, educational institutions,
international parties, and tenants on Centers) as specified and
described in written operating agreements.

P.2.2 This NPR is applicable to all objects launched into space in which
NASA has lead involvement and control or has partial involvement with
control over design or operations via U.S. internal or international
partnership agreements, including the launch vehicle. This document has
no automatic exclusions for any program or project due to limited
funding, responsibility, or involvement of NASA in the program or
project. NASA involvement includes design, manufacture, or funding of
instruments, spacecraft bus, spacecraft systems, and the launch vehicle
and includes launch processing. Additionally, this NPR only applies to
objects which exceed 100km (\~62mi) in altitude and achieve or exceed
Earth orbital velocity.

> *Note: It is recognized that the current state of existing spacecraft,
> spacecraft components and instruments, and launch vehicles may
> preclude full compliance with this NPR.*

P.2.3 A requirement is identified by the word "shall." The word "may" is
used to denote permission.

P.2.4 The following subparagraphs (a-d below) limit the scope of this
NPR:

a\. NASA spacecraft, launch vehicles, and instruments that passed
Preliminary Design Review (PDR) prior to August 1995 (release of NSS
1740.14, Guidelines and Assessment Procedures for Limiting Orbital
Debris) are not required to perform an ODA unless a large change in
design or changes in space object capability or risk affect the ability
to achieve compliance with the requirements. If one or more of these
conditions occur, an ODA Report (ODAR) shall be performed (Requirement
56693).

b\. Programs/projects that have passed spacecraft PDR at the time of
approval of this NPR may elect to follow the mission and hardware design
and operation requirements of this NPR and the procedures in NSS 1740.14
for ODARs.

> *Note: For future changes to this NPR and its companion NASA Standard,
> programs may request a waiver to the new requirements per NPR 8715.3,
> paragraph 1.13.*

c\. Programs within four months of launch at the time of approval of
this NPR are not required to submit the prelaunch End-of-Mission (EOM)
Plans (EOMP), but are required to submit an EOMP for operational
portions of the mission.

d\. Programs less than three months from EOM at the time of approval of
this NPR are not required to submit an EOMP; however, it is desirable to
develop an EOMP in conjunction with performing the requirements
contained in NPD 8010.3, Notification of Intent to Decommission or
Terminate Operating Space Systems and Terminate Missions.

P.2.5 While this NPR has no automatic exclusions for any spaceflight
program or project, it is recognized that the current state of
spacecraft and launch vehicles precludes total compliance. For
noncompliances, the spaceflight program or project shall assess the
overall cost and technical impacts as described in paragraph 2.2.4 of
this NPR to justify the noncompliance (Requirement 56698).

> *Note: The process for requesting and granting of variances (e.g.:
> waivers, deviations, exceptions) to the requirements in this NPR and
> NSS 1740.14 is defined in NPR 8715.3, paragraph 1.13.*
>
> *Note: The clause in the U.S. National Space Policy of 2006, Section
> 11, which states "consistent with mission requirements and cost
> effectiveness" will be used in adjudication of requests for variances
> to this NPR when specified by the program's rationale for the
> variance.*

P.2.6 Orbital debris requirements for space vehicles and spacecraft
while operating beyond Earth orbit are identified within this NPR.

P.2.7 The NSS 1740.14 applies to system developers at NASA and shall be
applied to system developers under contract to NASA for all
space-related mission portions being developed by NASA.

P.3 AUTHORITY

a\. 42 U.S.C. § 2473 (c)(1), Section 203 (c)(1) of the National
Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, as amended.

b\. U.S. National Space Policy, August 31, 2006.

c\. NPD 8700.1, NASA Policy for Safety and Mission Success.

P.4 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

a\. U.S. Government Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices,
February 2001.

b\. NPD 8010.3, Notification of Intent to Decommission or Terminate
Operating Space Systems and Terminate Missions.

c\. NPD 8020.7, Biological Contamination Control for Outbound and
Inbound Planetary Spacecraft.

d\. NPR 7120.5, NASA Space Flight Program and Project Management
Requirements.

e\. NPR 8000.4, Risk Management Procedural Requirements.

f\. NPR 8020.12, Planetary Protection Provisions for Robotic
Extraterrestrial Missions.

g\. NPR 8705.5, Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) Procedures for NASA
Programs and Projects.

h\. NPR 8705.6, Safety and Mission Assurance Audits, Reviews, and
Assessments.

i\. NPR 8715.3, NASA General Safety Program Requirements.

j\. NSS 1740.14, Guidelines and Assessment Procedures for Limiting
Orbital Debris.

k\. Technical Report on Space Debris, Scientific and Technical
Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of
Outer Space, A/AC.105/720, 1999.
<http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/natact/sdnps/sd_nps_docsidx.html>

l\. IADC-02-01, Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines, Inter-Agency Space
Debris Coordination Committee, October 15, 2002.
<http://www.iadc-online.org/index.cgi?item=docs_pub>

P.5 MEASUREMENT/VERIFICATION

Compliance with the requirements contained in this NPR will be verified
through processes contained in NPR 8705.6, Safety and Mission Assurance
Audits, Reviews, and Assessments.

P.6 CANCELLATION

NPD 8710.3B, NASA Policy for Limiting Orbital Debris Generation, dated
April 28, 2004.

/S/

Bryan O\'Connor

Chief, Safety and Mission Assurance

DISTRIBUTION:

NODIS

**CHAPTER 1. General Information**

1.1 Objectives of Limiting Orbital Debris

1.1.1 The objective of the NASA Orbital Debris Program is to limit the
generation of debris in Earth orbit. Debris can damage spacecraft,
provide a source for false scientific readings, and become a hazard to
people and property on the ground. The United Nations, the Inter-Agency
Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC), and the International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) have repeatedly asserted that all
spacefaring nations should endeavor to limit the generation of debris in
orbit.

1.1.2 In addition to limiting generation of debris in all Earth orbits,
NASA also desires to limit the generation of debris in other space
locations where future spacecraft may travel. All missions leaving Earth
orbit must comply with NASA\'s Planetary Protection policy and
requirements as described in NPD 8020.7 and NPR 8020.12. In the event of
conflicts between this document and Planetary Protection requirements,
the Planetary Protection requirements will take precedence.

1.1.3 Compliance with this NPR meets the guidelines and intent of the
following documents (as of the date of this NPR): the U.S. Government
Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices and the IADC-0201, Space
Debris Mitigation Guidelines.

1.1.4 This NPR requires each program and project to conduct formal
assessments and plans for the disposition of spacecraft anticipated to
reach the surface of the Moon.

1.2 Description of Orbital Debris

1.2.1 Orbital debris is defined as any object placed in space (see
P.2.2) by humans that remains in orbit and no longer serves any useful
function or purpose. Objects range from spacecraft to spent launch
vehicle stages to components and also include materials, trash, refuse,
fragments, or other objects which are overtly or inadvertently cast off
or generated.

1.2.2 Reusable vehicles are not considered as orbital debris in this
NPR.

1.3 Roles and Responsibilities

1.3.1 Chief, Safety and Mission Assurance, Office of Safety and Mission
Assurance (Chief/OSMA)

1.3.1.1 The Chief/OSMA shall lead the NASA Orbital Debris Program
(Requirement 56733).

1.3.1.2 The Chief/OSMA shall establish requirements for limiting NASA's
orbital debris generation from spacecraft, payloads, and launch vehicle
components (Requirement 56734).

1.3.1.3 The Chief/OSMA shall establish policies for the safe disposal of
NASA's spacecraft, payloads, and launch vehicle components during all
phases of space missions (Requirement 56735).

1.3.1.4 The Chief/OSMA shall provide requirements and assessment
procedures for orbital debris generation potential and associated risks
(Requirement 56736).

1.3.1.5 The Chief/OSMA shall provide, or make available, software tools,
models, and their associated data bases to aid programs in orbital
debris risk analysis and evaluation of mitigation options (Requirement
56737).

1.3.1.6 The Chief/OSMA shall review all ODARs and all EOMPs (as defined
in Chapter 2) to determine compliance with requirements and to review
the level of associated risk (Requirement 56738).

1.3.1.7 The Chief/OSMA shall promote the adoption and use of
international orbital debris mitigation guidelines through international
forums, such as the IADC and the ISO (Requirement 56739).

1.3.2 Program's Mission Directorate Associate Administrator (MDAA)

1.3.2.1 The MDAA shall be the NASA official accepting the orbital debris
risk as determined by the SMA Technical Authority for Orbital Debris due
to noncompliances to this NPR and NSS 1740.14 as documented in the ODAR
and EOMP (Requirement 56741).

1.3.2.2 The MDAA shall ensure that a mission orbital debris assessment
has been conducted in accordance with NSS 1740.14 to determine the
potential for orbital debris generation from the launch vehicle and the
payload (Requirement 56742).

1.3.2.3 The MDAA shall ensure that orbital debris mitigation measures
identified in the ODAR are implemented and included in the EOMP
(Requirement 56743).

1.3.2.4 The MDAA shall ensure that a formal review of the potential to
generate orbital debris is conducted before implementing the EOMP
(Requirement 56744).

1.3.2.5 The program's MDAA shall provide to the Chief/OSMA, for
Chief/OSMA concurrence, a phase-in plan and schedule for either
development of new EOMPs, modification of existing EOMPs, or
grandfathering of existing EOMPs within four months of the approval of
this NPR (Requirement 56745).

1.3.2.6 The MDAA shall ensure that the orbital debris requirements of
this NPR are included as an integral part of their program/project, to
include proposals and Announcements of Opportunity for future missions
(Requirement 56746).

1.3.3 Associate Administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate
(AA/SOMD)

1.3.3.1 The AA/SOMD shall review ODARs and EOMPs, in conjunction with
the responsible MDAA(s), that are associated with missions that could
pose a risk to humans in space (Requirement 56748).

1.3.4 Associate Administrator, Exploration Systems Mission Directorate
(AA/ESMD)

1.3.4.1 The AA/ESMD shall review ODARs and EOMPs, in conjunction with
the responsible MDAA(s), to determine if each ESMD-procured/controlled
launch vehicle is in compliance with Agency orbital debris policy and
standards (Requirement 56750).

1.3.4.2 The AA/ESMD shall incorporate the requirements of this NPR and
NASA-STD 1740.14 into the development of new launch and space
transportation vehicles (Requirement 56751).

1.3.5 Assistant Administrator, Office of External Relations (AA/OER)

1.3.5.1 The AA/OER shall endeavor to incorporate the NASA debris
mitigation defined in this NPR and NSS 1740.14 in negotiated
international agreements for space activities and launch services
(Requirement 56753).

1.3.5.2 To augment existing national procedures where the U.S.
Department of Defense alerts Government agencies to the impending
reentry of NASA-related space objects (See section P.2.2), the AA/OER
shall, in consultation with the program's MDAA, Chief/OSMA, Office of
Public Affairs, and the Office of the General Counsel, coordinate
amplifying information with other U.S. Government agencies (Requirement
56754).

1.3.5.3 The AA/OER shall coordinate all NASA pre-reentry press releases
for reentries with the Office of the General Counsel, the National
Security Council, and the Office of Science and Technology Policy
(Requirement 56755).

1.3.5.4 The AA/OER shall review and provide comments on ODARs and EOMPs
as required in paragraphs 2.2.1.5 and 2.2.2.6 (Requirement 56756).

1.3.6 Assistant Administrator, Office of Public Affairs

1.3.6.1 The Office of Public Affairs shall coordinate all NASA
pre-reentry press releases with the United States Strategic Command
(USSTRATCOM) (via Department of Defense Public Affairs), the Chief/OSMA,
the NASA AA/OER, the Office of the General Counsel, and the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security, as needed (Requirement 56758).

1.3.7 NASA Office of the General Counsel

1.3.7.1 The NASA Office of the General Counsel shall review and provide
comments on ODARs and EOMPs as required in paragraph 2.2.1.5 and 2.2.2.6
(Requirement 56760).

1.3.7.2 The NASA Office of the General Counsel shall consider conducting
a liability assessment upon learning of an impending Earth impact into a
populated area (Requirement 56761).

1.3.7.3 The NASA Office of the General Counsel shall review pre-entry
press releases as required in 1.3.5.3 and 1.3.6.1 (Requirement 56762)..

1.3.8 NASA Headquarters Environmental Management Division

1.3.8.1 The NASA Headquarters Environmental Management Division shall
review and provide comments on ODARs and EOMPs as required in paragraphs
2.2.1.5 and 2.2.2.6 (Requirement 56763).

1.3.9 John F. Kennedy Space Center Launch Services Program Manager
(KSC/LSPM)

1.3.9.1 The KSC/LSPM shall incorporate program orbital debris
requirements in launch service and launch operations planning activities
and contracts unless a variance to the requirements has been granted per
NPR 8715.3, paragraph 1.13 (Requirement 56765).

1.3.9.2 The KSC/LSPM shall provide debris assessment information for
launch vehicles (and associated payload adapters) to the NASA spacecraft
Program/Project Manager for integration into the mission ODAR
(Requirement 56766).

1.3.9.3 For launches under NASA management occurring outside of KSC/LSPM
control, the NASA manager for the launch shall perform the requirements
in paragraphs 1.3.9.1 and 1.3.9.2 (Requirement 56767).

1.3.10 NASA Center SMA Directors

1.3.10.1 NASA Center SMA Directors shall ensure spacecraft and launch
vehicle program/project personnel incorporate applicable NASA orbital
debris policies and requirements into their programs/projects
(Requirement 56769).

1.3.10.2 NASA Center SMA Directors shall provide assistance to the
program/project by reviewing and providing comments to ODARs and EOMPs
to assist in determining compliance with this NPR and NSS 1740.14
(Requirement 56770).

1.3.10.3 NASA Center SMA Directors shall ensure that orbital debris
requirements are reviewed at each major Program/Project review such as
the spacecraft or mission PDR, the Critical Design Review (CDR), and
other Key Decision Points (KDP) as defined in NPR 7120.5 (Requirement
56771).

1.3.11 NASA Orbital Debris Program Office (NASA ODPO)

1.3.11.1 The NASA ODPO shall maintain a list of predicted reentry dates
for NASA spacecraft and their associated orbital stages and notify the
OSMA at least 60 days prior to their reentry (Requirement 56773).

1.3.11.2 The NASA ODPO shall develop, maintain, and update the orbital
debris environment models to support this NPR (Requirement 56774).

1.3.11.3 The NASA ODPO shall assist NASA mission program/project
managers in technical orbital debris assessments by providing
information and/or directing queries to the knowledgeable technical
staff (Requirement 56775).

1.3.11.4 The NASA ODPO shall provide assistance to the Department of
Defense and other U.S. Government departments and organizations on
matters related to the characterization of the orbital debris
environment and the application of orbital debris mitigation measures
and policies for NASA space missions (Requirement 56776).

1.3.11.5 The NASA ODPO shall participate in the determination, adoption,
and use of international orbital debris mitigation guidelines through
international forums such as the United Nations Committee on the
Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, the IADC, and the ISO (Requirement 56777).

1.3.12 SMA Technical Authority for Orbital Debris

1.3.12.1 The SMA Technical Authority for Orbital Debris shall determine
the risk associated with any noncompliances to this NPR as documented in
the ODAR (Requirement 56779).

1.3.12.2 The SMA Technical Authority for Orbital Debris shall provide a
written determination of the risk associated with any noncompliances to
this NPR as contained in the ODAR to the Program MDAA prior to launch
and within 30 days of receipt (Requirement 56780).

1.3.12.3 The SMA Technical Authority for Orbital Debris shall determine
the risk associated with any noncompliances to this NPR as documented in
the EOMP (Requirement 56781).

1.3.12.4 The SMA Technical Authority for Orbital Debris shall provide a
written determination of the risk associated with any noncompliances to
this NPR as contained in the EOMP to the Program MDAA prior to
implementation of the EOMP and within 30 days of receipt (Requirement
56782).

1.3.12.5 The SMA Technical Authority for Orbital Debris shall use the
techniques and methods required in NPR 8000.4, Risk Management
Procedural Requirements, and NPR 8705.5, Probabilistic Risk Assessment
(PRA) Procedures for NASA Programs and Projects, for providing risk
assessments (Requirement 56783).

1.3.12.6 The SMA Technical Authority shall establish and implement a
mechanism for soliciting, receiving, and dispositioning comments and
resolving issues prior to the formal issuance of NASA-STD 8719.14 and
any of its revisions (or the creation of any successor documents), such
that proposed changes are appropriately staffed through and issues
resolved with all affected Programs at NASA Headquarters and Centers
(Requirement 56784).

1.3.13 NASA Program/Project Manager

1.3.13.1 The NASA Program/Project Manager shall establish an orbital
debris mitigation activity as a part of every spaceflight
program/project as defined by paragraph P.2.2 (Requirement 56786).

1.3.13.2 The NASA Program/Project Manager shall provide copies of any
plans describing generation of orbital debris to the SMA Technical
Authority for Orbital Debris for review (Requirement 56787).

1.3.14 NASA Planetary Protection Officer (NASA PPO)

> *Note: See NPR 8020.12, Planetary Protection Provisions for Robotic
> Extraterrestrial Missions, for NASA policy and requirements for the
> role of the NASA PPO.*

1.3.14.1 The NASA PPO shall review and approve all plans for disposition
of spacecraft on another solar system body (Requirement 56790).

**CHAPTER 2. Program/Project Development and Prelaunch Preparations**

2.1 Orbital Debris Program Setup and Control

2.1.1 The NASA Program/Project Manager shall implement orbital debris
requirements for those portions of a spaceflight program/project over
which NASA has control as defined by paragraph P.2.2 (Requirement
56793).

2.1.2 The NASA Program/Project Manager shall include the applicable
design requirements stated in NSS 1740.14 in the program/project
requirements unless a variance to the requirements has been granted per
NPR 8715.3, paragraph 1.13 (Requirement 56794).

2.1.3 The NASA Program/Project Manager and the contracting officer for
the program/project shall include requirements in this NPR in agreements
and contracts necessary to ensure compliance with this NPR unless a
variance to the requirements has been granted per NPR 8715.3, paragraph
1.13 (Requirement 56795).

2.1.4 When a spacecraft is jointly developed/built/managed by multiple
NASA Centers/facilities, the Program/Project Manager at each NASA
Center/facility shall deliver an abbreviated ODAR per NSS 1740.14,
Appendix A, Section A.3, as a part of the hardware delivery to the
program/project integrator covering those spacecraft portions under
their control (Requirement 56796).

2.1.5 When a spacecraft is jointly developed/built by multiple
organizations where NASA is not the launching or lead Agency, the NASA
Program/Project Manager shall provide an abbreviated ODAR to the
non-NASA lead Agency per NSS 1740.14, Appendix A, Section A.3, as a part
of the delivery of the hardware data package covering only those
spacecraft portions being developed/integrated by the NASA organization
as permitted by International Traffic in Arms (ITAR) and other data
restrictions (Requirement 56797).

> *Note: This NPR does not specify how the non-NASA lead Agency uses the
> provided ODAR or what orbital debris requirements apply. The delivery
> of an abbreviated ODAR is intended to assist the lead Agency in
> meeting their local, national, or international orbital debris
> requirements.*
>
> *Note: Processing of ITAR and other restricted data/information
> generated or handled by personnel who are not civil service personnel
> (i.e., Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Applied Physics Laboratory) should
> be reviewed with the NASA contract manager prior to shipment outside
> of NASA.*

2.1.6 When a spacecraft is jointly developed/built by multiple
organizations outside of the United States or is restricted by national
defense or corporate proprietary restrictions, and the ODAR contains
material restricted by export control laws and regulations, the ODAR
material delivered to the NASA ODPO needs to contain all ITAR/restricted
information in addition to the \"filtered\" ODAR being provided to
organizations outside of the United States by NASA.

2.1.7 The NASA Program/Project Manager shall include a review of the
orbital debris requirements derived from this NPR and the associated NSS
1740.14 as a part of the program/project System Requirements Review (or
equivalent early review) (Requirement 56801).

2.2 Orbital Debris Risk Assessments

2.2.1 Orbital Debris Assessment Report (ODAR)

2.2.1.1 The NASA Program/Project Managers shall assess the mission for
compliance with this NPR and NSS 1740.14 for generation of orbital
debris during all mission phases (Requirement 56804).

2.2.1.2 The NASA Program/Project Managers shall prepare and deliver the
mission orbital debris assessments to the MDAA in an ODAR per the format
and content defined in NSS 1740.14 for all objects being launched as
defined in section P.2.2 (Requirement 56805).

2.2.1.3 The MDAA shall submit each draft/final ODAR to the Chief/OSMA
and AA/SOMD (for missions that could pose a risk to humans in space) for
review (Requirement 56806).

2.2.1.4 The ODAR may be submitted in electronic format.

2.2.1.5 If orbital debris is assessed to impact the Earth\'s surface
within 25 years, copies of the updated and final ODAR shall be submitted
by the MDAA to the NASA Headquarters Environmental Management Division,
the AA/OER, and the Office of the General Counsel (Requirement 56808).

2.2.1.6 The cognizant MDAA shall approve the final ODAR after review by
OSMA and SOMD (for missions that could pose a risk to humans in space)
and, if required, the offices listed in paragraph 2.2.1.5 of this NPR
(Requirement 56809).

2.2.1.7 The Program/Project Manager shall submit the initial mission
ODAR prior to the spacecraft PDR or equivalent NASA Program/Project or
project milestone (Requirement 56810).

2.2.1.8 The Program/Project Manager shall submit the updated mission
ODAR no later than 45 days prior to the spacecraft CDR or equivalent
NASA program or project milestone (Requirement 56811).

2.2.1.9 The Program/Project Manager shall submit the final mission ODAR
no later than 30 days prior to the opening of the launch window or 30
days prior to the NASA SMA readiness review described in NPR 8705.6,
whichever comes first (Requirement 56812).

2.2.1.10 ODA analyses and discussions are not needed, and may be
replaced with a placeholder explanatory text, for mission portions which
occur beyond Earth orbit and are not (or will not be) in an orbit about
another solar system body.

2.2.2 End-of-Mission Plan (EOMP)

2.2.2.1 Program/Project Managers shall assess the mission for compliance
with this NPR and NSS 1740.14 for proper disposal of the spacecraft and
the launch vehicle for the portion of the program/project funded,
managed, or operated by NASA (Requirement 56815).

2.2.2.2 Program/Project Managers shall prepare, update, and deliver an
EOMP per the format and content defined in NSS 1740.14 for the
configuration of the space vehicles anticipated at EOM for all objects
as defined in paragraph P.2.2 (Requirement 56816).

2.2.2.3 The Program/Project Manager shall submit each draft EOMP to the
Chief/OSMA, the AA/SOMD (for missions that could pose a risk to humans
in space), and the cognizant MDAA for review (Requirement 56817).

2.2.2.4 For missions traveling beyond geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO)
disposal orbits, the MDAA shall submit each draft EOMP to the NASA
Planetary Protection Office for review, subject to NPR 8020.12
(Requirement 56818).

2.2.2.5 The EOMP may be submitted in electronic format.

2.2.2.6 If the spacecraft or launch vehicle stages are designed for
reentry at EOM and assessed to impact the Earth\'s surface, copies of
the prelaunch and final EOMPs shall be submitted by the MDAA to the NASA
Headquarters Environmental Management Division, the AA/OER, and the
Office of the General Counsel (Requirement 56820).

2.2.2.7 The cognizant MDAA shall approve the prelaunch and final EOMPs
after review by OSMA, SOMD(for missions that could pose a risk to humans
in space), ESMD, and, if required, the offices listed in paragraph
2.2.2.6 of this NPR (Requirement 56821).

2.2.2.8 The Program/Project Manager shall submit the initial draft EOMP
no later than 45 days prior to the spacecraft CDR or equivalent program
or project milestone (Requirement 56822).

2.2.2.9 The Program/Project Manager shall submit the Prelaunch EOMP no
later than 30 days prior to the opening of the launch window or 30 days
prior to the SMA readiness review described in NPR 8705.6, whichever
comes first (Requirement 56823).

2.2.2.10 The MDAA shall ensure the EOMP is periodically (annually at a
minimum) reviewed and updated throughout the life of the program/project
per the schedule in the EOMP (Requirement 56824).

> *NOTE: It is recommended that the EOMP updates and reviews occur with
> the Mission Directorate senior management programmatic, budget, and
> instrumentation reviews that are conducted for the mission and the
> spacecraft. It is also intended that the EOMP be used as an integral
> input to the series of decisions leading up to the decision to
> decommission the spacecraft.*

2.2.2.11 The MDAA shall approve the EOMP no later than 30 days prior to
the submission of the EOM notification per NPD 8010.3 or 30 days prior
to the commencement of EOM maneuvers or passivation, whichever comes
first (Requirement 56826).

2.2.2.12 EOMP analyses and discussions are not needed and may be
replaced with a placeholder explanatory text for mission portions which
occur beyond Earth orbit and are not (or will not be) in an orbit about
another solar system body.

2.2.2.13 For missions disposing of spacecraft beyond GEO disposal orbits
that are not (or will not be) in orbit about another solar system body,
the EOMP may be replaced with a memorandum from the MDAA stating the
disposal location/conditions, subject to NPR 8020.12.

2.2.3 NASA ODPO Review

2.2.3.1 The NASA ODPO shall provide technical review of each ODAR and
EOMP to assist in determination of compliance with this NPR and the NSS
1740.14 (Requirement 56830).

2.2.3.2 The NASA ODPO shall provide reviews of ODARs and EOMPs to OSMA
using the formats specified in NSS 1740.14, Appendices A and B
(Requirement 56831).

2.2.3.3 OSMA shall provide the results of the technical reviews of ODARs
and EOMPs to the MDAA, the Headquarters Program Executive, and the
Program/Project Manager within 30 days of receipt of the ODAR or EOMP
(Requirement 56832).

2.2.4 Risk Acceptance

2.2.4.1 The MDAA shall review all noncompliances identified in ODARs and
EOMPs and perform a risk tradeoff on meeting the requirements stated in
this NPR and NSS 1740.14 with other programmatic restrictions such as
cost, schedule, and launch constraints (Requirement 56834).

2.2.4.2 For any noncompliances to these requirements, the MDAA shall
submit a memorandum to the Chief/OSMA, with a copy to the NASA Chief
Engineer and AA/SOMD (for missions that could pose a risk to humans in
space), stating the acceptance of the risk with the reasons and
justification for the noncompliance as a part of the final ODAR and as a
part of the final EOMP (Requirement 56835).

2.2.4.3 For any noncompliances that are repetitive in nature, applying
to a class of spacecraft systems or launch vehicles and therefore
multiple missions, the MDAA may submit a memorandum to the Chief/OSMA,
with a copy to the NASA Chief Engineer, showing the cost and technical
justification for noncompliance and stating the acceptance of the risk.
The Chief/OSMA must concur with the analysis for acceptance of the
noncompliance for multiple missions. This memorandum shall be a part of
the applicable missions\' final ODAR and final EOMP.

> *Note: The process for requesting and granting of variances (e.g.:
> waivers, deviations, exceptions) to the requirements in this NPR and
> NSS 1740.14 is defined in NPR 8715.3, paragraph 1.13.*

2.2.4.4 MDAA memoranda accepting orbital debris risk associated with
launch and flight operations shall be provided a minimum of 30 days
prior to launch or prior to the prelaunch Safety and Mission Success
Review, whichever is earlier (Requirement 56838).

2.2.4.5 MDAA memoranda accepting orbital debris risk associated with EOM
shall be provided a minimum of four weeks prior to commencement of the
EOM maneuvers or passivation launch or prior to the EOM Safety and
Mission Success Review, whichever is earlier (Requirement 56839).

2.2.4.6 Any decision to deviate from the mitigation requirements shall
be reviewed and concurred in by the Chief/OSMA prior to launch and/or
commencement of EOM maneuvers or passivation (Requirement 56840).

**CHAPTER 3. Program/Project Operations**

3.1 Design

3.1.1 The NASA Program/Project Manager shall ensure that all NASA and
NASA-funded or NASA-controlled spacecraft and launch vehicles are
designed to be disposed of in accordance with the remainder of this
chapter (Requirement 56843).

3.1.2 The NASA Program/Project Manager, with the NASA Center SMA
organization, shall track and monitor the noncompliances (to this NPR
and NSS 1740.14) with the design and operations of the spacecraft and
orbital launch vehicle stages beginning at PDR and shall have the
tracking reviewed by the Center SMA organization prior to CDR and launch
(Requirement 56844).

3.1.3 The NASA Program/Project Manager shall ensure that all spacecraft
and launch vehicles placed in orbit about Earth or the Moon are designed
to prevent/preclude, to the extent possible/feasible, a self-initiated
unintentional orbit breakup from launch through reentry (Requirement
56845).

> *Note: See the U.S. Space Policy Section 11 (contained in paragraph
> P.1.1) for direction to NASA on limiting orbital debris and NSS
> 1740.14, paragraph 4.4, for implementation of this requirement.*

3.2 Monitoring During Spaceflight

3.2.1 The NASA Program/Project Manager shall monitor their spacecraft
and launch vehicle stages, to the extent possible/feasible, to detect
intended or unintended operations that generate orbital debris around
Earth, the Moon, or Mars, or at an Earth-Sun Lagrange point (Requirement
56848).

3.2.2 If the NASA Program/Project Manager has determined that a
spacecraft in orbit around Earth or the Moon has (or may have) generated
intended or unintended orbital debris which is outside of the ODAR or
EOMP analyses, then the following offices shall be notified within 48
hours of identifying the release by the identifying party: MDAA, OSMA,
and NASA ODPO and SOMD for debris generated in LEO (Requirement 56849).

3.2.3 The NASA Program/Project Manager shall ensure that all generated
orbital debris in Earth orbit (planned and unplanned) is analyzed by the
program/project to determine if within three months the orbital debris
may either pose a risk to another spacecraft in a similar or crossing
orbit or will return to Earth (Requirement 56850).

> *Note: The NASA ODPO will assist with this analysis when requested.*

3.2.4 If analyses determine that orbital debris in orbit around the
Earth or the Moon will pose a risk greater than one in a thousand to
another spacecraft in a similar or crossing orbit for the three months
after generation or decommissioning, then the MDAA shall notify the
Chief/OSMA within 48 hours of completion of the analysis (Requirement
56852).

3.2.5 The NASA Program/Project Manager shall, for orbits about the Earth
or the Moon, monitor spacecraft and launch vehicle stage items defined
as critical in the ODAR or EOMP which may lead to a breakup or loss of
control function or any items which may affect the planned maneuvers,
passivation, or disposal at EOM (Requirement 56853).

3.2.6 For orbits about the Earth or the Moon, when an event is detected
that may affect the generation of orbital debris or implementation of
the EOMP, the NASA Program/Project Manager shall ensure that appropriate
measures are taken to limit further generation of orbital debris that
may preclude intended passivation and disposal of the spacecraft and
launch vehicle stages (Requirement 56854).

3.2.7 The Program/Project Manager shall notify the Program\'s MDAA, who
in turn, shall notify the Chief/OSMA and the NASA Chief Engineer, and
SOMD (for missions that could pose a risk to humans in space) for events
in LEO, within 96 hours of identifying the event when any of the
following conditions occur (Requirement 56855):

a\. The spacecraft no longer serves any useful function or purpose.

b\. Redundancy or other key functionality is lost in the end-of-life
disposal or deorbit system.

3.2.8 The Chief/OSMA and the NASA Chief Engineer shall be notified by
the MDAA within one week when any of the following conditions occur
(Requirement 56858):

a\. The nominal propellant level required for controlled deorbit or
disposal maneuvers is projected to occur in six months.

b\. Insufficient fuel remains onboard the spacecraft to perform all
planned EOM maneuvers plus a 15 percent margin.

3.2.9 The NASA Program/Project Manager shall provide copies of all
actions per NPD 8010.3, Notification of Intent to Decommission or
Terminate Operating Space Systems and Terminate Missions, to the OSMA
with EOMP updates (Requirement 56861).

3.2.10 The NASA Program/Project Manager shall inform the Department of
Defense\'s Space Surveillance Network in the Cheyenne Mountain
Operations Center prior to spacecraft and launch vehicle EOM maneuvers
that result in a change of Earth orbit altitude of greater than 1 km
(Requirement 56862).

3.3 EOM Actions

3.3.1 EOM Planning

3.3.1.1 The MDAA and the NASA Program/Project Manager shall periodically
review and update the EOMP as a part of the Mission Directorate senior
management review process (Requirement 56865).

3.3.1.2 All spacecraft planned for reentry into Earth\'s atmosphere or
remaining in orbit about the Earth or the Moon shall be passivated as
part of the disposal (Requirement 56866).

3.3.1.3 When significant capabilities affecting the spacecraft's planned
ability to passivate, maneuver, or reenter at end-of-life change either
through graceful degradation, malfunction, or via command, the EOMP
shall be updated/annotated by the NASA Program/Project Manager
(Requirement 56867).

3.3.1.4 EOM passivation includes all of the actions needed to prevent a
breakup, either by explosion or disassembly from internally stored
energy, of the spacecraft and launch vehicle from the point in time
where EOM actions are begun and reentry of the spacecraft occurs.

3.3.1.5 The following systems shall be analyzed when passivation is
required (Requirement 56869) (for further information on passivation,
see NSS 1740.14):

a\. Electrical Systems: Batteries and charging circuits.

b\. Mechanical Pressure Systems: Propulsion, fluid loop, gas-pressurized
batteries, and cryogenics.

c\. Chemical Systems: Propulsion and solid motors.

d\. Mechanical Systems: Rotating machinery and springs.

> *Note: Successor documents to NSS 1740.14 will provide further details
> on methods of passivation and guidance on avoiding nonreversible
> passivation methods or unrecoverable passivation errors or
> malfunctions.*

3.3.2 EOM Requirements for Spacecraft and Launch Vehicles Planned for
Reentry Into Earth's Atmosphere or Remaining in Orbit About the Earth or
the Moon

3.3.2.1 Maneuverable spacecraft that are terminating their operational
phases at altitudes of less than 2000 km above the Earth shall be
maneuvered to reduce their orbital lifetime, commensurate with 25-year
low-Earth orbit lifetime limitations, or relocated, when feasible, if
analysis shows the probability of collision with large objects exceeds
criteria for objects in these highly utilized orbit regions (Requirement
56876).

> *Note: Highly utilized orbits include those of the International Space
> Station and the NASA Earth Observing System.*
>
> *Note: This requirement is not intended to affect mission or
> spacecraft design/operations requirements established for portions of
> the mission that occur prior to EOM disposal.\
> *

3.3.2.2 For controlled, commanded, or targeted reentries into Earth\'s
atmosphere, the MDAA shall ensure that the OER notifies appropriate
authorities for warnings to shipping lanes and airline routes in the
area of the reentry a minimum of one week prior to reentry (Requirement
56879).

3.3.2.3 All spacecraft and launch vehicles shall be passivated as a part
of EOM disposal/decommissioning to a level where the remaining internal
stored energy is insufficient to cause breakup (Requirement 56880).

3.3.2.4 The Program/Project Manager shall include evaluation of the
long-term perturbations on, and the future trajectories of, orbital
spacecraft and launch vehicle stages in the EOMP (Requirement 56881).

3.3.2.5 The NASA Program/Project Manager shall ensure that all
spacecraft and launch vehicles designed to be operated in GEO are
designed to be able to maneuver at least 300 km above GEO altitude
(closest approach to GEO greater than 300 km above GEO altitude)
(Requirement 56882).

3.3.3 EOM Requirements While in Orbit About the Moon

3.3.3.1 The NASA Program/Project Manager shall not plan to leave objects
in lunar orbit unless a documented need is stated in the ODAR
(Requirement 56884).

3.3.3.2 The NASA Program/Project Manager shall document the orbital
parameters of all objects intended to be left in lunar orbit in the EOMP
(Requirement 56885).

3.3.3.3 For disposal of spacecraft left in lunar orbit, the NASA
Program/Project Manager shall document consideration of a change to the
orbital parameters of the spacecraft such that it is not in an orbit
where it may interfere with another active spacecraft and include this
analysis in the EOMP (Requirement 56886).

3.3.3.4 The plan for disposal of a spacecraft on the lunar surface shall
be concurred in by the Chief/OSMA (Requirement 56887).

3.3.3.5 All spacecraft landing sites on the Moon, planned or anticipated
after EOM, shall be chosen (or precluded) with due regard to the planned
usage of those sites in future exploration or scientific study and the
interests of other spacefaring nations, subject to NPR 8020.12
(Requirement 56888).

3.3.3.6 The Chief/OSMA, working with the MDAA or their designee, shall
establish an advisory mechanism to assist in evaluating potential crash
sites for such spacecraft (Requirement 56889).

3.4 Conjunction Assessments during Mission Operations (for
Earth-Orbiting Spacecraft)

3.4.1 The NASA Program/Project Manager shall have conjunction assessment
analyses performed routinely for all maneuverable Earth-orbiting
spacecraft with a perigee height of less than 2000 km in altitude or
within 200 km of GEO (Requirement 56891).

3.4.2 Conjunction assessment analyses shall be performed using the
USSTRATCOM high-accuracy catalog as a minimum (Requirement 56892).

3.4.3 The NASA Program/Project Manager shall have a collision risk
assessment and risk mitigation process in place for all maneuverable
Earth-orbiting spacecraft that are performing routine conjunction
assessment analyses (Requirement 56893).

3.5 Special Requirements for Spacecraft Carrying Humans

3.5.1 Items being disposed of from the International Space Station or
the Space Shuttle shall either be returned to Earth in the Space Shuttle
(or another returning spacecraft) or jettisoned per International Space
Station policy (Requirement 56895).

3.5.2 The Program/Project Manager shall notify the Chief/OSMA 48 hours
in advance of a planned jettison of an object(s) (Requirement 56896).

**Appendix A. Terms and Definitions**

Breakup -- an explosion or disassembly of the spacecraft or launch
vehicle which generates orbital debris.

Conjunction Assessment -- an analysis done to predict the closest point
of approach of two space objects based on their orbital parameters.

End-of-Mission - the time of completion of all mission activities,
experimental operations, and stand-by status, immediately preceding
passivation and disposal of the spacecraft or launch vehicle stage.

Orbital debris - any object placed in space by humans that remains in
orbit and no longer serves any useful function. Objects range from
spacecraft to spent launch vehicle stages to components and also include
materials, trash, refuse, fragments, and other objects which are overtly
or inadvertently cast off or generated.

Passivation - the process of removing all forms of stored energy from
spacecraft, launch vehicle stages, and propulsion units. Passivation
includes, but is not limited to, the depletion of all residual
propellants, pressurants, electrical storage devices, and forms of
kinetic energy to a level where the remaining internal stored energy is
insufficient to cause breakup/disassembly. Some sealed batteries and
heat pipes need not be depressurized if their potential for explosion is
extremely low.

**Appendix B. Acronyms**

AA/ESMD Associate Administrator, Exploration Systems Mission Directorate

AA/OER Assistant Administrator, Office of External Relations

AA/SOMD Associate Administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate

CDR Critical Design Review

EOM End-of-Mission

EOMP EOM Plan

ESMD Exploration Systems Mission Directorate

GEO Geosynchronous Earth Orbit

IADC Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee

ISO International Organization for Standardization

ITAR International Traffic in Arms Regulations

KSC Kennedy Space Center

KSC/LSPM Kennedy Space Center Launch Services Program Manager

LSPM Launch Services Program Manager

MDAA Mission Directorate Associate Administrator

NPD NASA Policy Directive

NPR NASA Procedural Requirements

NSS NASA Safety Standard

ODA Orbital Debris Assessment

ODAR ODA Report

ODPO NASA Orbital Debris Program Office

OER Office of External Relations

OSMA Office of Safety and Mission Assurance

PDR Preliminary Design Review

PPO Planetary Protection Officer

PRA Probabilistic Risk Assessment

SMA Safety and Mission Assurance

SOMD Space Operations Mission Directorate

USSTRATCOM United States Strategic Command