Second Space Capacity Allocation For The Sustainability Of Space Activities Workshop

Session

Towards the integration of all the open aspects in space sustainability

12

5 Jun 2026, 14:00

Politecnico di Milano

36. A Lifecycle Framework for Defining Clean Space Indicators through the CIRCLE Initiative

Fazira Azzahra Huwaidaa

The increasing space activities in Low Earth Orbit have led to higher debris densities, increased collision hazards, and growing concerns about atmospheric reentry effects and long-term orbital sustainability. Prior research conducted by the Space Safety and Sustainability Project Group of the Space Generation Advisory Council has examined these issues via debris environment modeling,...

31. A payload-aware LCA eco-design tool for iterative launch vehicle development

Marie Delaroche (MaiaSpace)

Integrating environmental considerations into launcher design presents unique challenges due to the iterative nature of development processes, limited production volumes, variety of design versions, and specialized materials involved. This study presents the development and application of an environmental trade-off tool designed to support eco-design for the MaiaSpace launch vehicle. The tool...

23. Extending the Polluter Pays Principle to Orbit: The Legal Challenges of Mandatory Life Cycle Assessments in the EU Space Act

Cecilia Nota (Università di Torino)

The proposed EU Space Act represents a landmark paradigm shift in space governance by importing the so-called Polluter Pays Principle (PPP) from Union environmental law into the regulatory framework of outer space activities. Central to this initiative is the transition from a reactive liability regime to a proactive model of environmental stewardship through mandatory Life Cycle Assessments...

13. Fostering Space Sustainability: Interdisciplinary Frameworks for Policy and Investment

Emmanuelle David (EPFL)

In 2023, the EPFL Space Center launched the Sustainable Space Hub to pioneer and steward Swiss space sustainability. By fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and building expertise between academic institutions, international organizations, and private actors, the Hub aims to advance the field through constructive dialogue.

This abstract contribution will focus on the workshop...

14. Integration of orbital environmental impacts within the EU Environmental Footprint framework for space: first methodological developments and outlook

Dr Thibaut MAURY-MICOLIER (DEFIS - European Commission)

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is emerging as a key tool to support eco-design and sustainability assessment in the space sector. However, current practices remain fragmented and often limited to upstream phases, with insufficient consideration of in-orbit operations and end-of-life impacts. This gap hinders comparability across studies and prevents a comprehensive evaluation of the environmental...

30. Long-term environmental impact mitigation strategies for transatlantic launcher transport

Marie Delaroche (MaiaSpace)

Transatlantic transport constitutes a significant environmental hotspot in the life cycle of launch vehicles. This study evaluates key mitigation strategies for MaiaSpace's logistics operations between Le Havre (Metropolitan France) and Kourou (French Guiana), as projections show that logistics activities will account for approximately 30% of MaiaSpace’s total climate change impact by 2033...

10. Storm-Time Geospace Variability and Orbital Sustainability: Why Space Weather Matters for Capacity Management

Nouhaila Bouhadi (Universtity Chouaïb Doukkali, Faculty of Sciences)

This contribution explores how geomagnetic storm conditions should be incorporated into discussions on space sustainability and orbital capacity management. While space capacity is often discussed through debris population, launch traffic, and mitigation compliance, disturbed space weather conditions also play a significant role by altering upper-atmospheric density, drag, orbital prediction,...

27. Towards integrated ecodesign of space launch systems: A digital LCA tool for early-stage decision-making

Enrique Moliner (Arribes Enlightenment)

The transition towards more sustainable space activities requires the integration of environmental considerations across all phases of design and operation, as well as the consideration of multiple impact dimensions beyond traditional performance metrics. In this context, this work presents a digital tool based on life cycle assessment (LCA) useful to support ecodesign in space launch systems,...