Obstacles to ODMSP Compliance

by Marissa Herron

Completed in the Fall term 2021, this paper explores the Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices 25-year rule. The 25-year rule has been considered by NASA and the IADC to be a compromise between mission cost impacts and disposal lifetime. Shorter disposal lifetimes are encouraged, but the 25-year rule is intended to set a maximum time for a decommissioned satellite to remain in orbit. This study researches the question “What are the obstacles to ODMSP compliance?” The case studies presented are scoped to NASA missions using publicly available information. Disposal in Low Earth Orbit is the focus area. A 2021 NASA IG report and NASA SMD Senior Review Panels were the primary data sources.