Question 1

Who is Celestia Dynamics and what is its mission in space sustainability?

Accepted Answer

Celestia Dynamics is the organization that developed the Space Debris Credit (SDC) system and the Space Debris Exposure Rating (SDER). Its mission is to align economic incentives with space safety to address the orbital debris crisis.

Question 2

Why did Celestia Dynamics develop the SDC and SDER frameworks?

Accepted Answer

With tens of thousands of new satellites projected this decade, space debris has become a critical threat. Celestia developed the SDC credit system and SDER risk rating to internalize the cost of orbital debris and incentivize responsible behavior.

Question 3

What role does Celestia Dynamics play in the governance and implementation of the SDC system?

Accepted Answer

Celestia Dynamics is a founding member of the multi-stakeholder SDC Governance Body, serving as the system's creator and intellectual property holder with oversight powers in the initial phase.

Question 4

How does Celestia Dynamics ensure the integrity and standardization of the SDC system?

Accepted Answer

Celestia safeguards the SDC/SDER framework through intellectual property rights and certification controls, preventing incompatible or copycat credit systems while ensuring one unified global standard.

Question 5

Will Celestia Dynamics control the SDC system permanently?

Accepted Answer

No – Celestia's control is meant to be transitional. The long-term vision is to hand over governance to the international community, potentially via a DAO or UN-sanctioned commission.

Question 6

What is a Space Debris Credit (SDC)?

Accepted Answer

An SDC is a transferable unit representing verified orbital debris mitigation action, implemented as a digital token on blockchain, functioning like environmental credit systems.

Question 7

How does the SDC system work and why is it needed?

Accepted Answer

The SDC creates a market-based cap-and-trade mechanism where operators generating debris must obtain SDCs, while those removing debris earn SDCs, internalizing the cost of space debris.

Question 8

How is an SDC earned or issued?

Accepted Answer

SDCs are earned by performing qualifying debris mitigation actions. When debris is successfully removed or prevented, a new SDC token is minted and issued as a reward.

Question 9

Who needs to obtain SDCs and who can generate them?

Accepted Answer

Operators creating debris need SDCs to offset their debris footprint, while those removing debris or operating sustainably can earn and sell SDCs.

Question 10

How are SDCs traded and tracked?

Accepted Answer

SDCs are traded on a blockchain-based marketplace with full transparency. Each credit's ownership and history is immutably logged, preventing fraud and double-counting.

Question 11

What is the Space Debris Exposure Rating (SDER)?

Accepted Answer

SDER is a quantitative score assigned to space operators measuring their orbital debris contribution. Higher SDER means more debris risk, while lower SDER indicates best practices.

Question 12

What factors determine an operator's SDER?

Accepted Answer

SDER factors include orbital trajectory and lifetime, spacecraft design and mitigation features, historical behavior, local collision risk, and standards compliance.

Question 13

How does SDER affect an operator's SDC obligations (the bonus–malus system)?

Accepted Answer

SDER adjusts SDC requirements via a bonus–malus system: operators with excellent scores receive free bonus SDCs, while those with poor scores must purchase extra credits.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Celestia Dynamics

Understanding the Space Debris Credit (SDC)

The Space Debris Exposure Rating (SDER)

Verification & Proof of Disposal

Legal and Regulatory Alignment

Governance and Certification

Economic Architecture and Market Design

Technical Infrastructure

Stay Updated with Celestia Dynamics

Frequently Asked Questions

About Celestia Dynamics

Who is Celestia Dynamics and what is its mission in space sustainability?

Why did Celestia Dynamics develop the SDC and SDER frameworks?

What role does Celestia Dynamics play in the governance and implementation of the SDC system?

How does Celestia Dynamics ensure the integrity and standardization of the SDC system?

Will Celestia Dynamics control the SDC system permanently?

Understanding the Space Debris Credit (SDC)

What is a Space Debris Credit (SDC)?

How does the SDC system work and why is it needed?

How is an SDC earned or issued?

Who needs to obtain SDCs and who can generate them?

How are SDCs traded and tracked?

What are debris mitigation quotas and how do they work?

How are initial SDC quotas or credits allocated when the system starts?

How are SDC prices determined, and what is the market outlook?

What is the Equitable Space Access Fund (ESAF) and why is it included?

The Space Debris Exposure Rating (SDER)

What is the Space Debris Exposure Rating (SDER)?

What factors determine an operator's SDER?

How does SDER affect an operator's SDC obligations (the bonus–malus system)?

What incentive does SDER create for operators?

Is an operator's SDER public, and how do others use this rating?

Who oversees the SDER formula and keeps it fair?

Verification & Proof of Disposal

How are debris removal events verified in the SDC system?

What is a Verification Oracle, and who can serve as one?

What is a Proof-of-Disposal NFT, and what information does it contain?

How do Proof-of-Disposal NFTs relate to SDC credit issuance?

How does the system prevent fraud or double-counting of debris credits?

Legal and Regulatory Alignment

How does the SDC framework align with the Outer Space Treaty of 1967?

What about the Liability Convention of 1972? Does SDC affect liability for collisions?

Do SDC and SDER incorporate existing space debris guidelines (IADC, COPUOS)?

How does SDC fit with emerging national or regional regulations (e.g., the EU)?

How can national authorities implement the SDC system through their regulations?

Could the SDC system become part of an international treaty or global agreement?

Governance and Certification

Who governs the SDC system initially, and what is the structure?

What are the main responsibilities of the SDC Governance Body?

How are decisions and rules updated in the SDC system?

How will the governance model evolve over time?

What does it mean for an operator to be 'SDC-compliant' or 'SDER-certified'?

Economic Architecture and Market Design

How does the SDC trading market function?

What incentives does the SDC market create for space operators?

How does the SDC system integrate with space tracking systems (oracles)?

Technical Infrastructure

Why is the SDC system built on blockchain technology?

What roles do smart contracts play in the SDC system?

How does the SDC system ensure security and integrity of data?

Are there fail-safes or overrides if something goes wrong with the automation?

Stay Updated with Celestia Dynamics