It is believed that the space industry will address the challenges related to sustainability, particularly space debris, and ecological impact on Earth.
FREMONT, CA: Space may summon images of stars and science fiction, but it is also home to the vast array of satellites, spacecraft, and astronauts. At present, 8216 unmanned satellites are orbiting the earth, serving a critical purpose in improving daily lives. Communication satellites, for instance, assist extend internet access to areas without the necessary infrastructure. Meteorology satellites are essential for weather forecasting, and navigation satellites such as GPS are critical to current and future transportation needs, including autonomous vehicles.
Contemporary technological advancements in the space industry have opened up numerous business opportunities. Space sector companies can launch thousands of satellites to reach previously inaccessible areas of the Earth. Innovative markers, such as space mining and space tourism, are also steadily emerging.
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Issues for Sustainable Space
Despite the benefits of the space sector, concerns are growing among the general public about its ecological impact. One of the primary issues that need to be addressed is space debris. With over 30,000 harmful space debris and 3,364 non-operational satellites in orbit, there is a risk that they could collide with the estimated 4,859 active operating satellites. This will have a catastrophic impact on various sectors, including transportation, security, and finance.
In addition to concern about space debris, the space sector's impact on the environment is also a growing discussion. Space activities such as space tourism can contribute to pollution on Earth including air, water and soil pollution. Soot from spacecraft currently has to warm effect on the Earth 500 times greater than that caused by planes, rising concerns about sectors' greenhouse gas emissions and toxic substances. Therefore it is becoming increasingly clear that the debate over space activities should not be limited to the space community alone, as the wider public has a stake in the ecological impact of the activities.
Tailor Solutions for Sustainable Space
To effectively address the environmental concerns of the space sector, collaboration is needed between five key stakeholders, like governments, academia, industry, civil society, and environmental organisations. The development of green space technology emits fewer greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful chemicals. Green technology can reduce energy consumption across the entire life cycle of a space mission, conserve resources, and minimise toxic substances to protect human health and biodiversity.
To address environmental concerns related to space activities, three solutions are proposed. The first is to collaborate among governments, academia, industry, civil society, and environmental organisations to find innovative solutions to space debris identification and removal, space traffic management, space situational awareness, and in-orbit servicing. The second solution is to develop greener space technologies, including propulsion, fuels, and alternatives to toxic materials. Finally, policies should be developed to encourage sustainable practices in space commercialisation, aligned with the united nations' sustainable development goals, and including initiatives such as green innovation policies and the use of sustainability ratings and ESG indicators.
