The UK Space Agency is committed to ensuring that space remains safe, secure and sustainable for future generations, for the benefit and prosperity of all humanity. As global space activity continues to grow, clear, practical approaches to the sustainable use of space are essential to protect the orbital environment and ensure its long-term, safe use.
That is why the UK Space Agency has sponsored the British Standards Institution (BSI) to develop two Space Sustainability standards in partnership with industry. BSI Flex 1969 and BSI Flex 1971 have been updated to reflect feedback received through a public consultation process and extensive engagement with industry and regulator.
BSI Flex 1969 – Space Sustainability: Overarching Principles provides a clear framework to help organisations identify and manage environmental impacts across the full lifecycle of space activities, from design and launch through to in-orbit operations and end- of- life disposal. The updated version now being published introduces a simplified set of ten principles, reflecting modern space operations and covering areas such as collision avoidance, space debris mitigation, rendezvous and proximity operations, and objectives for quiet and dark skies.
Alongside this, BSI Flex 1971 – Space Sustainability: Launch has been strengthened into a more prescriptive code of practice, helping launch providers and their supply chains identify and mitigate environmental impacts earlier in the process. The updated structure improves clarity and usability, helping organisations reduce planning and licensing risks while maintaining safety and regulatory compliance.
Together, these standards reflect a formalisation of industry best practice and offer a method to build trust with investors and insurers, while providing flexibility to innovate without stifling growth. Their publication marks an important milestone in the UK’s continued leadership on space sustainability and our commitment to responsible, long-term access to space.
The two Standards are available for free download from the BSI Website.
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