ISO 26872-2019 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 26872:2019 — Space systems — Disposal of satellites operating at geosynchronous altitude. This international standard specifies requirements and recommended practices for planning, selecting and executing end-of-life disposal of spacecraft operating in the geosynchronous/geostationary region to reduce the risk of creating long-lived debris and to protect the GEO operational region.

Abstract

The standard sets out requirements for disposal planning (including reserve propellant estimates and an end-of-mission disposal plan), criteria for selection of final disposal orbits that will not re‑enter the protected operational region within 100 years, successful execution of disposal manoeuvres, and passivation/depletion of on‑board energy sources to minimise fragmentation risk. It reflects internationally accepted guidelines and best operational practice for GEO disposal.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn (replaced by ISO 23312:2022).
• Publication date: Published July 3, 2019 (ISO edition 2).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 49.140 (Space systems and operations).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2019).
• Number of pages: 46.

Scope

ISO 26872:2019 applies to spacecraft operating at geosynchronous/geostationary altitudes. It provides requirements for the end‑of‑mission disposal process including documentation (end‑of‑mission disposal plan), orbit selection methodologies to ensure the spacecraft does not re‑enter the GEO protected region for at least 100 years, manoeuvre execution expectations, and measures to passivate energy sources. The standard is intended to be used in conjunction with broader space debris mitigation standards and guidelines.

Key topics and requirements

• End‑of‑Mission Disposal Plan (EOMDP) requirements: content, maintenance and integration with mission design and operations.
• Techniques for selecting stable disposal orbits that avoid the GEO protected region for ≥100 years (analytical criteria and/or long‑term numerical propagation).
• Propellant budgeting and verification to ensure adequate delta‑V for disposal manoeuvres.
• Operational guidance for executing disposal manoeuvres and verification of successful insertion into the selected disposal orbit.
• Passivation and depletion of on‑board energy sources (batteries, pressurants, stored energies) prior to or at end of life to minimise breakup risk.
• References and alignment with other space debris mitigation documents and standards (used together with ISO 24113 and related guidance).

Typical use and users

Primary users are satellite system designers, operations and mission‑planning teams, satellite manufacturers, space agencies, national regulators and organisations responsible for space traffic and debris mitigation policy. The standard is used during mission design, operations planning and in conformity or best‑practice assessments to demonstrate disposal planning for GEO spacecraft.

Related standards

Key related documents include ISO 23312:2022 (the newer standard that replaces ISO 26872:2019) and ISO 24113:2019 (space debris mitigation requirements). Other national/adopted equivalents (e.g., BS ISO 26872:2019) existed while the standard was active.

Keywords

geosynchronous, geostationary, disposal, end‑of‑life, passivation, spacecraft disposal plan, GEO protected region, space debris mitigation, propellant budgeting, ISO 26872:2019.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 26872:2019 is an international standard that specified technical requirements and recommended practices for disposing satellites operating at geosynchronous altitude to reduce long‑term debris risk.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers end‑of‑mission disposal planning (EOMDP), criteria and methods for selecting disposal orbits that avoid the GEO protected region for at least 100 years, execution of disposal manoeuvres, and passivation/depletion of onboard energy sources.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Satellite designers, mission planners and operators, manufacturers, space agencies and regulators use it to demonstrate and implement responsible GEO end‑of‑life disposal practices.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 26872:2019 has been withdrawn and superseded by ISO 23312:2022; users should refer to ISO 23312:2022 for the current requirements.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It sits within the ISO space debris/space systems family of documents (TC 20/SC 14) and is intended to be used alongside other debris mitigation standards such as ISO 24113.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: GEO, geosynchronous, end‑of‑life disposal, passivation, disposal orbit, space debris mitigation, EOMDP, ISO 26872:2019.