Space traffic management - key issue for Industry 4.0

Abstract

Space technology and services represent a major component of the well-functioning societies’ infrastructure. At the same time, outer space is being increasingly accessed with many entities sending out technologies in an attempt to minimize launching and operational costs. Subsequently, a cross-domains activity, space technologies and services lay in the insufficiently settled area of legislative and institutional measures, leading to a growing ambiguity among professional community, reunited under the concept of ”space traffic management” (STM). In line with the new initiatives in the field of STM, this paper attempts to unblackbox the interplay between definitions and establishment history of it, its context of emergence, usage and the level of technological maturation. At the same time, the paper intends to address the tension between governmental and private initiatives related to the management and the coordination for space traffic, in order to open up a discussion on this topic. Thus the paper is expected to contribute to building a better understanding of the controversial nature of space services and technologies, especially with regard to delineations among geopolitical groups of interest, economic and governmental uses, as well as interfacing, roles and responsibilities, and impact on interoperable means of communication among various institutions.

Strengthening Urban Resilience: Understanding the Interdependencies of Outer Space and Strategic Planning for Sustainable Smart Environments

“…Within the larger context of urban resilience, the study's consideration of space debris marks a novel approach [22]. This research builds upon the primary author's earlier investigations, which initially studied the potential influence of space activities on urban amenities, by specifically exploring their potential repercussions for the functioning of smart cities.…”

“…The notion of urban resilience is a multifaceted subject that has garnered significant scholarly interest, often concentrated on terrestrial factors such as climatic fluctuations, extreme meteorological occurrences, and issues of cybersecurity [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. Nevertheless, the field has generally overlooked the intricate dimensions of extraterrestrial vulnerabilities, specifically those related to space debris collisions, that bear upon smart cities [22].…”

“…As for policy implications, much of the existing research [29,30] falls short of addressing the unique challenges that extraterrestrial threats pose to smart cities. Although emerging studies have started to shed light on the significance of space debris as a factor in urban planning [22,28], comprehensive assessments detailing their precise impacts on smart cities are still lacking. This study aims to bridge this academic void by investigating the effects of space debris, whether resulting from satellite collisions or other means, on the resilience and efficient operation of smart cities.…”

“…While there has been some scholarly attention on the role of extensive data analytics in ensuring the effective governance of smart urban cities [37], the literature has, overall, neglected to consider the connections between events originating in outer space and the performance metrics of tech-savvy municipalities. However, a few recent studies are notable exceptions [22,28]. Furthermore, the influence of outer space disruptive events on the technological scaffolding that modern smart cities rely upon is an area that is virtually untouched in the current literature.…”

“…Specifically, the design facilitated the implementation of tram networks, enabling swift movement between emerging developments and the city center with just two tram lines running on orthogonal axes [1] (pp. [21][22]. Grid designs also offer benefits such as effective traffic segregation [4], allowing for the separation of pedestrians and vehicles, and accommodating varying speeds and traffic volumes, thereby improving traffic flow and reducing pollution.…”