DEFINITION:

SSA aims to detect, predict and assess the risk to life and property due to man-made space debris objects, reentries, in-orbit explosions, in-orbit collisions, disruption of missions and satellite-based service capabilities, potential impacts of Near-Earth Objects (NEOs), and the effects of space weather phenomena on space- and ground-based infrastructure.

SSA means to know what goes on in space by acquiring the independent capability to watch for objects and natural phenomena that could harm our infrastructure.It comprises all the activities related with the application of SSA measurements to watch and try to prevent the possible effects of space related environment into the Earth, including natural environmental effects, meteoroid and debris impact.

(Source: ESA SSA programme)