Speaker
Description
In the space industry, performing a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as early as possible during Projects’ evolution is nowadays crucial for minimizing environmental impact and to define Ecodesign strategies. However, obtaining the necessary input data for the Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) can be challenging due to delays or lack of feedback from the supply chain and subcontractors. This presentation outlines the mitigation approach implemented by Thales Alenia Space to overcome these challenges and efficiently gather LCI data even during early Programs’ phases..
Thales Alenia Space's method leverages the review of available data packages at various stages of program evolution, such as Equipment Qualification Status Review (EQSR), Preliminary Design Review (PDR), and others. By meticulously analyzing documentation released by subcontractors during these reviews, the extraction of critical information is performed, from Declared Material Lists (DML), Declared Process Lists (DPL), Assembly, Integration, and Test (AIT) Plans, Justification Files, Design Reports, Mass Budgets, Product Trees, Hardware Matrices, and more. These data are then used to populate the LCI Data Collection questionnaires through direct injection from documents and collaborative workshops with subcontractors.
The collected data are validated and optimized with the assistance of an LCA Consultancy Firm, ensuring accuracy and relevance. Simultaneously, significant efforts are directed towards identifying proxies and similarities among units, equipment, and subsystems across different missions that have undergone LCA. This allows for the scaling and reuse of datasets to the maximum extent possible, enhancing efficiency and reducing redundancy.
This process requires a profound understanding of the technologies and systems used in specific missions. Therefore, Thales Alenia Space's supervision is essential in guiding general LCA consultants through the intricacies of the space sector. Our approach not only streamlines the LCA process but also ensures comprehensive and accurate environmental assessments, contributing to the sustainability goals of the space industry.
This process can be further enhanced through the integration of LCA within Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems, and investigations in this field are in the pipeline with sector excellence. The integration ensures that environmental data is seamlessly incorporated into PLM workflows, providing a "Single Source of Truth" for product information. This approach allows for real-time assessment of environmental impacts during the early design stages, improving decision-making and promoting sustainable product development.
The profound understanding of the technologies and systems used in specific missions, combined with the expertise in PLM and sustainability from external partners could ensure comprehensive and accurate environmental assessments. This contributes significantly to the sustainability goals of the space industry, by reducing environmental impacts and promoting eco-friendly design practices.