Space sustainability, a multidisciplinary approach
EE-587 / 2 credits
Teacher(s): David Emmanuelle Brigitte Marie, Udriot Mathieu Jean-Pierre
Language: English
Summary
The students will learn the history and geopolitical challenges of space sust. Different tools and methods to measure, understand and act for space sust. will be presented. Throughout group work, the students will evaluate the technical, economical, governance and geopolitical aspects of space sust.
Content
Week 1- Introduction to Space Sustainability (measure, understand, act), the course and the group work- Definition of the three dimensions of Space sustainability
Week 2- Geopolitics and regulations of Space Sustainability and Earth-Space Sustainability
Week 3- Space Situational Awareness
Week 4- The Space sustainability Rating
Week 5- The ESA Tools- Master and Drama
Week 6- Technologies for Space sustainability- ADR and OOS- Clearspace testimony
Week 7- Mid term- Group work presentation
Weeks 8-10- LCA and Eco-Design- LCA expert testimony
Week 11- What is ESG and CSR and how does it apply to Space companies?
Week 12- Space and the SDGs
Week 13- Q&A about the whole course content
Week 14- Final group work presentation
Keywords
Sustainability, Space Situtation Awareness, Life Cycle Assessment, Eco-design
Learning Prerequisites
Required courses
ENG-585- Space mission design
Recommended courses
EE-584- Spacecraft design and systems engineering
Important concepts to start the course
Orbital mechanics, protected areas, spacecraft subsystems
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:
- Define space sustainability
- Analyze impacts of space missions on the space and earth's environement
- Quantify environemental impact
- Integrate space sustainability in system trade-off
- Contextualise technical requirements within a geopolitical and legal context
Transversal skills
- Set objectives and design an action plan to reach those objectives.
- Use a work methodology appropriate to the task.
- Take responsibility for environmental impacts of her/ his actions and decisions.
- Respect relevant legal guidelines and ethical codes for the profession.
- Demonstrate the capacity for critical thinking
- Make an oral presentation.
Teaching methods
Presentation, exchange with experts and group work
Expected student activities
Pre-readings, participation in lectures and group work
Supervision
| Office hours | No |
| Assistants | Yes |
| Forum | Yes |
Resources
Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI)
No
Bibliography
- T. Maury et al., "Application of environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) within the space sector: A state of the art", (2020)
- L. Miraux, "Environmental limits to the space sector's growth", (2022)
- A. Wilson, M. Vasile, "The space sustainability paradox", (2023)
- https://spacesustainabilityrating.org/
- https://blogs.esa.int/cleanspace/
- Space Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals
- https://espace.epfl.ch/research/publications/
Ressources en bibliothèque
- Application of environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) within the space sector: A state of the art / Maury et al., 2020
- Environmental limits to the space sector's growth / Miraux, 2022
Websites
Moodle Link
In the programs
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Oral (summer session)
- Subject examined: Space sustainability, a multidisciplinary approach
- Courses: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Type: optional
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Oral (summer session)
- Subject examined: Space sustainability, a multidisciplinary approach
- Courses: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Type: optional
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Oral (summer session)
- Subject examined: Space sustainability, a multidisciplinary approach
- Courses: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Type: optional