With space activities expanding at an unprecedented rate, driven in part by a growing number of commercial players, space logistics is becoming increasingly critical to ensure the sustainable use of space. Space logistics encompasses a range of activities, including the remote maintenance of satellites in orbit, delivering supplies to space stations and satellites, and efforts to address the growing problem of space debris. 

This report outlines key issues that need to be addressed related to space logistics – the dual-use nature of rendezvous and proximity operations (RPOs), their consequences in terms of space debris and the sustainability and governance of the arena.

RPOs – which are civilian and peaceful – form a critical component of space logistics but they also raise new challenges. Given the current geopolitical context, security concerns regarding RPOs have been growing. States don’t feel confident that technologies designed to remove space debris could not also be used in disruptive ways, such as damaging or interfering with satellites that belong to others. 

There are currently no internationally agreed upon rules of engagement governing RPOs. Developing norms and even adopting an ethical approach to RPOs in order to beef up the safety, security and sustainability of space should become a priority for all stakeholders, including commercial actors. 

At the very least, countries need to pursue practical courtesy measures such as collision-avoidance practices, implement the due-regard principle while engaging in RPOs and establish keep-out zones that could ensure that space remains safe, secure and sustainable.