Space sustainability, a multidisciplinary approach

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

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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

• https://espace.epfl.ch/research/sustainable-space-hub/

Moodle Link

• https://go.epfl.ch/EE-587