Envisioning a sustainable future for space launches: a review of current research and policy

Brown, Tyler F. M.; Bannister, Michele

doi:10.1080/03036758.2022.2152467

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…This includes its crucial contribution to the Global Stocktake process, serving as a key tool for monitoring climate-related changes, comprehending the impacts of climate change, and evaluating the effectiveness of mitigation and adaptation measures [35]. Recognizing the orbital space of Earth as an additional ecosystem, deserving meticulous care and thorough regulations underscores the importance of implementing LCA in the Space sector [36,37].…”

Section: Life Cycle Assessment (Lca)mentioning

confidence: 99%

A Multidisciplinary Optimization Framework for Ecodesign of Reusable Microsatellite Launchers

Musso,

Figueiras,

Goubel

et al. 2024

Aerospace

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The commercial space launch sector is currently undergoing a significant shift, with increasing competition and demand for launch services, as well as growing concerns about the environmental impact of rocket launches. To address these challenges, within the New Space Portugal project scope, a multidisciplinary framework for designing and optimizing new launch vehicles is proposed. Creating a more resilient and responsible space industry can be achieved by combining technological innovation and environmental sustainability, as emphasized by the framework. The main scope of the framework was to couple all the disciplines relevant to the space vehicle design in a modular way. Significant emphasis was placed on the infusion of ecodesign principles, including Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) considerations. Optimization techniques were employed to enhance the design and help designers conduct trade-off studies. In general, this multidisciplinary framework aims to provide a comprehensive approach to designing next-generation launch vehicles that meet the demands of a rapidly changing market while also minimizing their environmental impact. A methodology that leverages the strengths of both genetic and gradient-based algorithms is employed for optimizations with the objectives of maximizing the apogee altitude and minimizing the Global Warming Potential (GWP). Despite only being tested at the moment for sounding rockets, the framework has demonstrated promising results. It has illuminated the potential of this approach, leading to the identification of three optimal designs: one for maximizing the apogee, another for minimizing GWP, and a compromise design that strikes a balance between the two objectives. The outcomes yielded a maximum apogee of 6.41 km, a minimum GWP of 9.06 kg CO2eq, and a balanced compromise design featuring an apogee of 5.75 km and a GWP of 25.64 kg CO2eq.

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Section: Life Cycle Assessment (Lca)mentioning

confidence: 99%

A Multidisciplinary Optimization Framework for Ecodesign of Reusable Microsatellite Launchers

Musso,

Figueiras,

Goubel

et al. 2024

Aerospace

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“…Furthermore, rocket launch debris threatens marine life within PA: smaller fragments can cause injury or mortality through ingestion, while larger pieces disrupt seabed ecosystems by providing unnatural substrates for benthic invertebrates, altering community structures 32 . These potential risks are depended on rocket technologies (e.g., types of oxidizers and fuels) and local natural factors (e.g., temperature and wind speed) 42,44 . Consequently, there is an urgent need to understand and quantify how these factors contribute to the risks, which is essential for informed strategic planning of launches.…”

Section: Threats Of Rls To Pamentioning

confidence: 99%

Rocket launches threaten global conservation

Ang,

Kong,

Hernández-Rodríguez

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Satellite technologies are essential for global conserving through providing continuous, real-time Earth monitoring. However, development of these technologies necessitates an increase in rocket launches, which introduces new threats to biodiversity. Here, we mapped rocket launch sites (RLS) and assessed their threats on conservation. Globally, over 90% RLS are within areas where unprotected habitats excesses 50% and over 62% of operating RLS are located within or near protected areas (PA). Importantly, the threats of RLS on conservation are more associated with specific biomes of their location, than responding to latitudinal, longitudinal, and inland versus coastal geographical patterns. Specifically, threatened terrestrial species in Tropical & Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests (TSMBF) are more susceptible to risks from launches than those in other biomes. Our results suggest that without strategic planning for RLS, growing launches could create conflicts between conservation efforts and technology development, compromising the conservation achievement of UN Biological Diversity Goals.

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“…Angesichts des prognostizierten Wachstums der Raumfahrtindustrie sind die atmosphärischen Auswirkungen nicht ausreichend untersucht, und internationale Umweltabkommen, wie das Montreal-Protokoll, befassen sich derzeit nicht mit Raketenemissionen; auf nationaler Ebene gibt es nur vereinzelte Maßnahmen, wie Steuern auf Weltraumtourismus in den USA (Sirieys, Gentgen, Jain, Milton, & de Weck, 2022). Das unterstreicht die Notwendigkeit eines angemessenen Umweltmanagements für die obere Atmosphäre (Brown et al, 2023). Die Entwicklung eines Nachhaltigkeitsindex für Trägerraketen könnte als Grundlage für künftige Vorschriften dienen oder Anreize für den Sektor zu nachhaltigeren Designs schaffen, indem Emissionsreduzierung zu einem Wettbewerbsvorteil wird (Sirieys et al, 2022).…”

Section: Großwärmepumpen Wichtig Für Die Sektorkopplungunclassified

“…Feststofftriebwerke sind in ihrer Umweltwirkung besser untersucht und tragen stärker als andere Triebwerke zum Ozonverlust bei(Dallas et al, 2020). Aber alle Triebwerke, auch Flüssigtreibstoffe, emittieren eine Vielzahl von Partikeln und Gasen (wie Stickoxide) direkt in die mittlere und obere Atmosphäre und schädigen dort nachweislich die Ozonschicht(Brown, Bannister, & Revell, 2023).Außerdem gibt es bei modernen Raketen einen Trend zu wiederverwendbaren Komponenten, die aber, genau wie wiedereintretende Trümmer, Stickstoffoxide beim Erhitzen durch den Wiedereintritt in die Atmosphäre erzeugen. Diese Emissionen tragen dann im gleichen Maß zum gesamten Ozon-Abbau in der Stratosphäre bei wie Chlor aus Feststofftriebwerken(Ryan et al, 2022).…”

unclassified

Foresight und Technikfolgenabschätzung: Monitoring von Zukunftsthemen für das Österreichische Parlament Berichtsversion: Mai 2023

2023

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Envisioning a sustainable future for space launches: a review of current research and policy

Cited by 5 publications

References 56 publications

A Multidisciplinary Optimization Framework for Ecodesign of Reusable Microsatellite Launchers

A Multidisciplinary Optimization Framework for Ecodesign of Reusable Microsatellite Launchers

Rocket launches threaten global conservation

Foresight und Technikfolgenabschätzung: Monitoring von Zukunftsthemen für das Österreichische Parlament Berichtsversion: Mai 2023

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