Speaker
Description
Space has captivated the human imagination for decades, fostering an environment of innovation and technological advancement. The exploration of these new space worlds has historically been done in an exclusive and often confrontational manner. Founded in 2021, it is the mission of The Exploration Company (TEC) to enable everyone to participate peacefully in the building of our human future. To realize this mission, we are developing Nyx – a reusable and in-orbit refillable spacecraft that can be launched from any heavy launcher in the world and can fly to any space station. Having built two capsules and sold six missions within three years, our team operates with an unprecedented speed and efficiency. We are operating out of Germany, France, and Italy, with offices in Houston and in MENA. Our mission is to build accessible, sustainable, and cooperative space worlds.
As the reach of human exploration extends further into space, there is a growing realization that this endeavor must be undertaken with a heightened awareness of its environmental impact and a commitment to sustainability. In response to an evolving global environmental consciousness and the enforcement of more stringent regulations, the space industry faces the necessity to integrate sustainable practices into its missions.
This research, conducted by The Exploration Company in the context of developing Nyx Earth, addresses the critical need for sustainable practices within the space industry. Nyx Earth is a modular spacecraft designed to perform a variety of functions, including independent in-orbit experimentation and cargo delivery to space stations, with future potential for human transport. In line with our mission statement above, the integration of eco-design principles into space systems has become an essential challenge and opportunity for us.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) emerges as a comprehensive methodology for evaluating the environmental impacts of space systems, offering a holistic view that spans the entire product life cycle. This approach not only anticipates future risks related to public and legislative pressures but also supports the inclusion of sustainability into the early stages of design, where 80% of the environmental impacts are determined. By leveraging LCA, TEC identified areas of opportunity for sustainability improvements and derived actionable eco-design principles applicable to Nyx as well as space projects in general. Despite the challenges posed by limited data and industry reluctance, this research underscores TEC’s commitment to advancing sustainable space exploration.
Key findings from the LCA reviews reveal the impact of early design decisions that are significantly influencing the sustainability of space systems. By adopting life cycle engineering within a concurrent engineering framework, one can substantially improve the environmental footprint of space missions, especially during their development phase. Main areas of impact include, but are not limited to, solar cells, harnesses, testing, surface treatment and launcher selection.
