This article is based on an official press release from AIAA.

Rivals Unite for Space Safety: SpaceX, Amazon Leo, and Industry Leaders Release Updated Orbital Best Practices

On May 18, 2026, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), in an unprecedented collaboration with major satellite constellation operators Amazon Leo, Eutelsat, Iridium Communications, Inc., and SpaceX, announced the release of the third edition of their reference guide, “Satellite Orbital Safety Best Practices 3.0.”

According to the official press release, the updated guide aims to address the growing urgency of space traffic coordination. It provides a consolidated set of recommended best practices that span the entire lifecycle of a satellite, from initial design and launch to orbital operations and final disposal. The document builds upon the foundational work established in the original 2022 version, as well as guidelines from NASA, the 18th Space Control Squadron, the Secure World Foundation, and the Space Safety Coalition.

By incorporating new lessons learned, the participating organizations hope to mitigate risks in an increasingly congested Low Earth Orbit (LEO) environment. The release highlights a shared commitment to sustainability among some of the space industry’s most prominent commercial operators.

Key Updates in Version 3.0

The latest iteration of the guide introduces several critical focus areas designed to enhance safety and transparency among operators. As detailed in the AIAA announcement, version 3.0 places a stronger emphasis on integrating orbital safety measures directly into the initial design phase of satellites, rather than treating them as an operational afterthought.

Enhanced Data Sharing and Pre-Launch Coordination

A major component of the updated guidelines is the strict guidance on data sharing. The participating organizations stress the critical importance of sharing and screening high-quality ephemeris, trajectory data, complete with covariance metrics. This data exchange is expected to occur continuously from the moment of deployment through to final disposal.

“The primary goal is to address the growing urgency of space traffic coordination by providing a consolidated, high-level set of recommended best practices spanning the entire lifecycle of a satellite.”

Furthermore, the guide highlights the necessity of pre-launch coordination and collision avoidance analysis. This is particularly crucial for mitigating hazards near crewed vehicles during the post-launch identification and cataloging of new orbital objects. To support these efforts, version 3.0 includes a newly added Appendix featuring specific data exchange recommendations designed to mitigate conjunctions, or close approaches, between spacecraft.

Industry Collaboration and the ASCEND 2026 Panel

The timing of the release aligns with the upcoming ASCEND 2026 conference, underscoring the immediate need for space traffic coordination. The document’s authors are scheduled to discuss the implementation of these practices during a dedicated panel on May 19, 2026, at 3:30 p.m.

Panel Participants

The panel will be moderated by Sandra Magnus, Principal at AstroPlanetview, LLC. She will be joined by industry experts representing the collaborating organizations:

• Josef Koller – Head of Space Safety and Sustainability, Amazon Leo
• Dave Goldstein – Principal Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer, SpaceX
• Ryan Shepperd – Space Situational Awareness Lead, Iridium

The press release notes that Pablo Minguijon Pallas, Head of Flight Dynamics and Mission Analysis at Eutelsat, was instrumental in the guide’s development but is unable to attend the panel.

AirPro News analysis

At AirPro News, we observe that this collaborative effort represents a highly notable shift in the commercial space sector. Direct competitors in the satellite internet and communications markets, namely SpaceX, Amazon Leo, Eutelsat, and Iridium, are working closely together to establish safety standards. With mega-constellations rapidly expanding, Low Earth Orbit is becoming increasingly congested.

In the absence of a single, unified global space traffic control authority, this industry-led approach to self-regulation is a proactive and necessary step. The emphasis on “high-quality ephemeris with covariance” indicates a vital evolution from simply tracking objects to requiring precise, mathematically rigorous predictions for automated collision avoidance systems. The shared existential threat of orbital debris and satellite collisions is clearly driving unprecedented cooperation among fierce commercial rivals, setting a new standard for the broader aerospace industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the “Satellite Orbital Safety Best Practices 3.0” guide?
It is a reference document released by AIAA, Amazon Leo, Eutelsat, Iridium, and SpaceX that provides recommended best practices for satellite design, launch, operations, and disposal to ensure orbital safety and sustainability.

When was the original guide published?
The original version of the best practices guide was published in 2022.

What are the main updates in version 3.0?
Key updates include a stronger emphasis on design-phase safety, pre-launch coordination (especially near crewed vehicles), strict guidance on sharing high-quality trajectory data, and a new Appendix dedicated to conjunction mitigation.

Sources

• AIAA