Very Low Earth Orbit Space sustainability becomes strategic as satellite density surges

As satellite constellations grow in scale and strategic relevance, so too does the need for coordinated orbital stewardship. UNIVITY, a European space-based connectivity provider, has signed the ESA-led Zero Debris Charter, underscoring its commitment to responsible satellite operations and environmental sustainability in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO).

UNIVITY, formerly known as Constellation Technologies & Operations, has formally signed the Zero Debris Charter—an international framework co-developed by more than 100 organizations under the facilitation of the European Space Agency (ESA). The charter aims to eliminate the creation of long-lived orbital debris by 2030 and has been signed by 180 organizations, including 20 national governments as of June 2025.

UNIVITY’s participation signals a broader shift in the European space sector: orbital sustainability is no longer just a technical concern—it is now understood as a strategic imperative. As competition in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and below accelerates, questions of space traffic management, satellite lifetime, and post-mission disposal have moved to the forefront of policy and mission planning.

A VLEO constellation with built-in sustainability

UNIVITY operates in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO), where satellites orbit at altitudes typically below 450 km. This positioning offers several sustainability advantages:

• Natural orbital decay: satellites re-enter and burn up within weeks or months, even without propulsion 
• Reduced long-term debris risk: no permanent remnants remain in orbit
• Lower light pollution: improved visibility for ground-based astronomy compared to higher-orbit constellations

The company is developing a shared, neutral satellite infrastructure that enables telecom operators to provide high-speed, low-latency internet access via the 5G mmWave spectrum. The model is designed to complement terrestrial networks, particularly in remote, underserved or disrupted regions.CEO Charles Delfieux emphasized the dual objective of performance and responsibility:
“UNIVITY proves it is possible to build an ambitious constellation without compromising the long-term sustainability of space. Sovereignty in space must be responsible as well as competitive.”

From debris mitigation to digital inclusion

The Zero Debris Charter outlines voluntary yet ambitious commitments across four main areas:

• Debris prevention and design for demisability
• Active debris removal and end-of-life procedures
• Risk mitigation for atmospheric re-entry
• Transparency and coordination in space traffic management

UNIVITY’s satellite system is engineered to meet these goals by default, thanks to its VLEO design and focus on modular, interoperable architecture. The constellation’s shared-infrastructure approach allows multiple operators to leverage a common platform, lowering overall satellite mass in orbit and reducing redundant deployments.ESA’s Quentin Verspieren, who leads the agency’s Space Safety Programme Coordination, welcomed the announcement:
“It is encouraging to see actors like UNIVITY not only signing the charter, but actively embodying its principles through their technical and strategic choices.”

Space sustainability meets telecom strategy

Beyond environmental considerations, UNIVITY’s model also reflects a strategic realignment in global telecommunications. As the need for secure, low-latency, globally available connectivity grows—especially in the context of defence, disaster response and rural inclusion—VLEO-based services are emerging as a critical complement to fiber and mobile networks.

The company’s constellation uses 5G mmWave spectrum to bridge connectivity gaps, while reducing the cost of infrastructure deployment. This positions UNIVITY at the intersection of digital equity, sovereign infrastructure, and space stewardship.