Space sustainability, a multidisciplinary approach

EE-587 / 3 crédits

Enseignant(s): David Emmanuelle Brigitte Marie, Hellmich Stephan

Langue: Anglais

Summary

The students will learn the history and geopolitical challenges of space sustai. 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 sus

Content

The course covers space sustainability across three core dimensions, opening with foundational definitions before moving into the regulatory and geopolitical landscape—both for space activities themselves and for how space interacts with Earth-based sustainability concerns.

A significant portion focuses on measurement and assessment tools: Space Situational Awareness, the Space Sustainability Rating, and ESA's own tools (MASTER and DRAMA) for evaluating debris and re-entry risks.

The technology section examines Active Debris Removal (ADR) and On-Orbit Servicing (OOS), reinforced by industry input from Clearspace. This is followed by an extended module on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Eco-Design.

The course then broadens to business and policy frameworks: ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) as they apply specifically to space companies, followed by a look at how space activities connect to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The course is bookended by group work—an initial project introduced early on, a midterm presentation partway through, and a final presentation at the end—alongside a dedicated Q&A session to consolidate learning across the full curriculum.

 

External Experts might be featured to ground theory in practice.

 

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
Assistant.e.s Yes
Forum Yes

Resources

Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI)

No

Bibliography

Ressources en bibliothèque

Websites

Moodle Link

Dans les plans d'études

  • Semestre: Printemps
  • Forme de l'examen: Oral (session d'été)
  • Matière examinée: Space sustainability, a multidisciplinary approach
  • Cours: 2 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
  • Exercices: 1 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
  • Type: optionnel
  • Semestre: Printemps
  • Forme de l'examen: Oral (session d'été)
  • Matière examinée: Space sustainability, a multidisciplinary approach
  • Cours: 2 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
  • Exercices: 1 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
  • Type: optionnel
  • Semestre: Printemps
  • Forme de l'examen: Oral (session d'été)
  • Matière examinée: Space sustainability, a multidisciplinary approach
  • Cours: 2 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
  • Exercices: 1 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
  • Type: optionnel

Semaine de référence

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