ISO TR 16158-2021 PDF

Full title and description

ISO/TR 16158:2021 — Space systems — Avoiding collisions among orbiting objects. This technical report provides guidance for detecting and assessing close approaches (conjunctions) between orbiting objects, estimating collision probability and cumulative survival probability, and for planning and executing manoeuvres and coordination to avoid collisions and preserve the space environment.

Abstract

This technical report gives a practical guide for establishing collaborative processes and technical methods that help satellite operators and related organisations to reduce the risk of collisions in Earth orbit. It describes commonly used techniques for conjunction detection, collision-probability estimation, computing cumulative survival probability, and decision-making for collision-avoidance manoeuvres. It also highlights the statistical nature of conjunction assessment and the uncertainties inherent in the various techniques.

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: 5 October 2021 (ISO publication: October 2021).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 49.140 (Space systems).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2021).
• Number of pages: 31.

Scope

ISO/TR 16158:2021 is a guidance document intended to support satellite operators, space agencies and other stakeholders in reducing collision risk. It describes procedures and techniques for detecting potential close approaches (conjunctions), estimating probabilities of collision and cumulative survival, assessing uncertainties, and planning or executing avoidance manoeuvres. The report emphasises collaborative arrangements and data sharing as part of sustaining the space environment and managing on-orbit risk, and it replaces the earlier 2013 edition.

Key topics and requirements

• Conjunction detection and surveillance techniques.
• Methods for estimating probability of collision (PoC) and cumulative survival probability.
• Assessment of measurement, propagation and modelling uncertainties affecting conjunction assessments.
• Principles for planning, executing and documenting collision-avoidance manoeuvres.
• Data exchange, coordination and collaborative processes between operators and agencies.
• Operational considerations, false positives/missed detections, and decision thresholds.
• Recommendations for risk communication and post-manoeuvre verification.

Typical use and users

Primary users are satellite operators (commercial and governmental), mission planners, spacecraft systems and operations engineers, space-traffic-management authorities, space situational awareness (SSA) providers, and researchers working on orbital safety and debris mitigation. The report is used to inform operational procedures for conjunction assessment, to shape data-sharing agreements, and to support internal risk-governance and manoeuvre-decision frameworks.

Related standards

Standards and documents commonly referenced alongside ISO/TR 16158 include ISO 24113 (space debris mitigation requirements), ISO 19389 (Conjunction Data Message), other ISO space-system technical reports and relevant CCSDS orbit and conjunction message standards. ISO/TR 16158:2021 replaces ISO/TR 16158:2013 and sits within the broader set of ISO documents addressing on-orbit safety and debris mitigation.

Keywords

collision avoidance; conjunction assessment; probability of collision; space situational awareness; manoeuvre planning; space traffic management; orbital risk; collaborative operations; space debris mitigation.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO/TR 16158:2021 is a technical report titled "Space systems — Avoiding collisions among orbiting objects" that provides guidance on detecting, assessing and mitigating collision risk for objects in Earth orbit.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers conjunction detection methods, collision-probability estimation, cumulative survival probability, uncertainty assessment, decision-making for avoidance manoeuvres, and recommendations for collaborative data exchange and coordination between operators.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Satellite operators, spacecraft operations and mission-planning engineers, SSA providers, space agencies, and organisations involved in space-traffic management and debris-mitigation policy.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: This is the current edition published in October 2021 (Edition 2) and it replaces ISO/TR 16158:2013; users should check national or organisational catalogs for any later revisions or supplementary documents published after October 2021.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of ISO's suite of space systems publications addressing on-orbit safety, debris mitigation and data-message formats; it complements standards such as ISO 24113 and ISO 19389 and relevant CCSDS recommendations.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Conjunction assessment, probability of collision, collision avoidance, manoeuvre planning, space situational awareness, space debris mitigation, data sharing.