Space debris through the prism of the environmental performance of space systems: the case of Sentinel-3 redesigned mission

TL;DR

This paper emphasizes integrating space debris impact assessment into the environmental Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of space systems, highlighting its importance during design to ensure orbital resource security and sustainability.

Contribution

It introduces a holistic LCA approach that includes space debris generation, demonstrated through a comparison of two mission designs.

Findings

Inclusion of debris generation impacts in LCA alters design choices.

Holistic LCA can improve sustainability and orbital resource management.

Potential collision impacts are quantifiable within the LCA framework.

Abstract

Like any industry, space activities generate pressures on the environment and strives towards more sustainable activities. A consensus among the European industrial stakeholders and national agencies in the Space sector is emerging on the need to address eco-design through the prism of the environmental Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. While the use of LCA is being implemented within the sector, the current scope disregards the potential environmental impact in term of debris generated by space missions on the orbital environment. The paper highlights the relevance of applying LCA holistically during the design phase of space systems, considering potential impacts occurring in the orbital environment during the utilisation and disposal stages of a space mission. Based on the comparison of two mission designs, the aim is to consider potential emission of space debris into the LCA framework as a way of measuring the resource security for orbits and potential environmental impacts occurring in case of collision.