| Title: | Clean Space: assessing, mitigating, and remediating the environmental impacts of space activities |
| Authors: | Sahba El-Shawa, Author |
| Material Type: | ISU internship report |
| Publisher: | Illkirch-Graffenstaden (France) : International Space University, 2020 |
| Size: | 1 electronic resource (vi, 56 p.) / col. ill. |
| Bibliography note: | Includes bibliographical references |
| Languages: | English |
| Class number: | TL1499 |
| Subjects: | Space debris ; Space industrialization--Environmental aspects |
| Description: |
Whereas the main focus of environmental impact is typically climate change, many other factors contribute to the detriment of the Earth environment. This can be in the form of resource overconsumption or loss of biodiversity, and is measured with a variety of indicators. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology provides a tool to assess the impacts of a system from cradle to grave. Applying LCA to the context of space is a challenging task, one which Clean Space has pioneering over the years. Through its LCA database and handbook, ESA is enabling the European space industry to streamline environmental considerations into their activities, as well as supporting the development of environmental reporting guidelines. EcoDesign also allows these considerations to be taken into account during the design phase in order to mitigate the environmental impacts. The author’s main tasks in this internship were focused on these areas, particularly assessing the environmental impacts of launchers, propellants, and spacecraft testing. Additionally, the author took the initiative to map Clean Space activities to the Sustainable Development Goals, an activity which had not previously been done.
To promote a more sustainable space environment, on the other hand, space debris mitigation guidelines are in use and debris remediation technologies are currently in development. In terms of space debris remediation, the author’s internship activities focused on On-orbit Manufacturing, Assembly, and Recycling (OMAR), as well as the development of a Robotic Arm for On-orbit Servicing known as TITAN. Within the framework of OMAR, the author researched the feasibility and applicability of intra-spacecraft wireless communication, and developed a methodology for the selection of a full OMAR CDF study. The author also supported the TITAN activity by developing high-level requirements for the robotic arm, and mapping the mission-level elements and subsystem drivers for TITAN. |
| ISU program : | Master of Space Studies |
| Permalink: | https://isulibrary.isunet.edu/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=11084 |
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 El-Shawa, Sahba_INT report (5.18MB) Adobe Acrobat PDF |
