// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Disposal
Disposal refers to the end-of-life plan for a spacecraft, which involves safely removing it from orbit to prevent it from becoming space junk. This might mean burning it up in the atmosphere or moving it to a graveyard orbit.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Disposal, in space operations, is the planned end-of-life maneuver for a spacecraft, typically involving de-orbiting for atmospheric re-entry and destruction, or relocation to a graveyard orbit (e.g., GEO super-synchronous) to mitigate space debris proliferation.
BACKGROUND
The aerospace industry of the United Kingdom is the second-largest national aerospace industry in the world and the largest in Europe by turnover with a global market share of 17% in 2019. In 2020, the industry employed 116,000 people.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Decommissioning
- De-orbit
- End-of-life
- Graveyard orbit
USAGE NOTE
Responsible disposal is a growing concern for long-term space sustainability.