Technical
Deorbit Plan
A documented strategy for removing a spacecraft from orbit at the end of its operational life, either through controlled re-entry or natural decay.
National space laws commonly require a plan for ending the activity (e.g. Finland, Laki 63/2018 § 5(2)(4); Norway, romloven § 6(b)(4)). The EU Space Act proposal (COM(2025) 335, not in force) would require an end-of-life disposal plan (Art. 70(2)(b), Annex V point 4.2).
Plan Components
- Orbital Lifetime Analysis: Natural decay timeline without intervention
- Disposal Method: Controlled or uncontrolled re-entry
- Propellant Budget: Reserved fuel for deorbit maneuver
- Timeline: Sequence of end-of-life operations
- Contingencies: Backup plans for system failures
Regulatory Requirements
- LEO missions: maximum post-mission lifetime set by national law or guidelines (IADC: 25 years); the EU Space Act proposal (COM(2025) 335) leaves the maximum LEO orbital lifetime to an implementing act (Annex V point 3.4.2)
- GEO missions: re-orbiting above the GEO protected region (IADC guideline); the EU Space Act proposal would require removal within 100 years after end of life (Annex V point 3.7)
- MEO missions: the EU Space Act proposal leaves the period to an implementing act (Annex V point 3.6)
Controlled vs. Uncontrolled Controlled Re-entry:
- Targeted impact zone (ocean)
- Lower casualty risk
- Requires more propellant
Uncontrolled Re-entry:
- Natural atmospheric decay
- Acceptable only below the casualty-risk threshold of the applicable regime (the EU Space Act proposal leaves the maximum to an implementing act, Annex V point 3.5.4)
- Requires "design for demise"
Documentation Deorbit plans must be submitted with authorization applications and updated if mission parameters change.