Space Compliance Glossary

Technologies and missions designed to capture and remove existing debris objects from orbit.

The point in an orbit where the spacecraft is farthest from Earth.

The force that slows spacecraft in low orbits, causing gradual altitude decay.

The sum of all points where an unauthorized user could attempt to enter or extract data from a space system.

The formal approval required from a National Competent Authority before conducting space activities within the EU.

The probability of a human casualty resulting from uncontrolled spacecraft re-entry.

The French national space agency responsible for space policy and technical evaluation under the LOS.

An entity providing space situational awareness services including conjunction assessment and collision avoidance support.

The period after LEOP when spacecraft and payload are fully tested before operational handover.

The UN committee responsible for international space law development and governance of outer space activities.

National teams responsible for receiving and coordinating cybersecurity incident reports under NIS2.

The process of evaluating potential close approaches between space objects to determine collision risk and inform avoidance decisions.

A standardized message format providing detailed information about a predicted close approach between two space objects.

International forum developing standards for space data and information systems.

The geographical area or time period during which a satellite can provide service.

Mutual agreement between parties to not seek damages from each other for space-related losses.

A standardized small satellite format using 10cm cubic units (1U = 10×10×10 cm), enabling cost-effective space access.

A systematic evaluation of a space system's security posture against cyber threats, required under NIS2 and EU Space Act.

The process of stabilizing a tumbling spacecraft to regain attitude control.

The release of controlled technology to foreign nationals, treated as an export under US law.

A cybersecurity strategy using multiple layers of security controls throughout a system.

The change in velocity required for orbital maneuvers, a key metric for spacecraft propulsion budgets.

A documented strategy for removing a spacecraft from orbit at the end of its operational life, either through controlled re-entry or natural decay.

Spacecraft design approach ensuring complete or near-complete destruction during atmospheric re-entry to minimize ground casualty risk.

A deployable device that increases a spacecraft's cross-sectional area to accelerate orbital decay.

Technology or items that have both civilian and military applications, subject to export controls.

The gathering of information about Earth's surface and atmosphere from space.

The process of encoding data so only authorized parties can access it, critical for space communications.

The final phase of a space mission when operational activities cease and disposal procedures are implemented.

Under NIS2, a large organization or critical infrastructure operator subject to enhanced cybersecurity obligations and supervision.

The EU agency providing cybersecurity expertise and supporting NIS2 implementation across member states.

The European Union agency responsible for managing EU space programmes and coordinating space policy implementation.

The comprehensive European Union regulation (COM(2025) 335) establishing a unified framework for space activities across all EU member states.

The centralized European database of registered space objects, fulfilling UN Registration Convention obligations.

The system of technical standards for European space projects.

The intergovernmental organization responsible for European space research, development, and exploration activities.

US agency responsible for commercial space launch and re-entry licensing.

US agency regulating satellite communications, including spectrum licensing and debris mitigation rules.

An in-orbit breakup of a spacecraft or rocket body creating multiple debris objects.

The process of obtaining and protecting radio frequency assignments for space communications through national and international regulatory bodies.

The European Union's global navigation satellite system providing precise positioning services independent of GPS.

A circular orbit at approximately 35,786 km altitude where satellites appear stationary relative to Earth's surface.

Germany's national research center for aeronautics and space, supporting regulatory functions.

Satellite constellations providing positioning, navigation, and timing services globally.

The Earth-based infrastructure supporting spacecraft operations, including ground stations and control centers.

The path traced on Earth's surface by the point directly below a satellite.

The Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee guidelines representing international best practices for debris mitigation.

Under NIS2, a medium-sized organization in covered sectors subject to cybersecurity obligations with reactive supervision.

An entity providing services to other spacecraft in orbit, including refueling, repair, debris removal, or life extension.

The mandatory notification of cybersecurity incidents and space safety events to relevant authorities within specified timeframes.

Legal arrangements whereby one party agrees to compensate another for potential losses.

Mandatory third-party liability insurance coverage that space operators must maintain as a condition of authorization.

The United Nations specialized agency responsible for global coordination of radio spectrum and satellite orbital positions.

The international standard for space debris mitigation requirements.

The international standard for information security management systems.

The critical initial phase after launch when spacecraft systems are activated and checked.

An entity responsible for the preparation and execution of space launch activities, including launch vehicle operations.

Contract between a satellite operator and launch provider for launch services.

An entity responsible for managing and operating a facility from which space launch vehicles are launched.

A state that launches or procures the launch of a space object, or from whose territory or facility a launch occurs.

The 1972 UN Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects, establishing state liability for space activities.

A simplified authorization pathway under the EU Space Act for small satellites and low-risk space activities.

Orbital regime from approximately 160 km to 2,000 km altitude, the most congested region of space and primary focus of debris mitigation efforts.

The process of designing orbital maneuvers for station-keeping, collision avoidance, or disposal.

Orbital regime between LEO and GEO, approximately 2,000 km to 35,786 km altitude, primarily used for navigation satellites.

The US space agency, whose standards and practices often influence international space regulation.

The designated governmental body in each EU member state responsible for space activity authorization and supervision.

US agency licensing commercial remote sensing (Earth observation) satellites.

The EU Directive 2022/2555 on measures for a high common level of cybersecurity across the Union, applicable to space infrastructure operators.

The routine operational phase when a spacecraft performs its primary mission.

The angle between a spacecraft's orbital plane and Earth's equatorial plane.

The time a spacecraft or debris remains in orbit before naturally decaying into the atmosphere.

The 1967 Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, the foundational international space law.

The process of removing all stored energy from a spacecraft at end of life to prevent accidental explosions that could create debris.

The mission-specific equipment carried by a spacecraft to perform its primary function.

The point in an orbit where the spacecraft is closest to Earth.

An entity that collects, processes, and distributes space object tracking data and orbital information.

Spacecraft operations conducted in close range to another space object.

The return of a space object to Earth through the atmosphere.

The 1975 UN Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space, requiring states to register space objects with the UN.

Launch arrangement where multiple satellites share a single launch vehicle to reduce costs.

A minimal functionality state a spacecraft enters automatically when anomalies are detected.

Communication services provided via satellite, including broadcast, mobile, and fixed services.

The standard propagation model used with TLE data to predict satellite positions.

Technical and operational measures to minimize the creation of orbital debris and ensure sustainable use of outer space.

The comprehensive knowledge of the space environment including tracking of space objects, space weather monitoring, and near-Earth object surveillance.

The planning, coordination, and control of space activities to ensure safety and sustainability.

Conditions in space affecting spacecraft and ground systems, including solar activity effects.

An entity responsible for the command and control of a spacecraft during its mission, from launch through end-of-life.

The international law principle that states bear responsibility for all national space activities.

Orbital maneuvers performed to maintain a spacecraft in its assigned position.

A near-polar orbit where the satellite passes over any given point on Earth's surface at the same local solar time.

The ongoing regulatory oversight of authorized space activities by National Competent Authorities to ensure continued compliance.

The protection of space systems through security requirements and assessment of suppliers, vendors, and service providers.

The sharing of controlled technical data or defense services, regulated under ITAR/EAR.

Uplink commands sent from ground stations to control a spacecraft.

Downlink data from a spacecraft providing status information about its systems and payload.

A space operator based outside the EU that conducts space activities affecting EU interests or using EU infrastructure.

Insurance coverage for damage caused to parties other than the insured operator.

A standardized data format for describing the orbital elements of Earth-orbiting objects, enabling position prediction.