The Impact of New Space Entails Sustainability on Earth

Abstract

New Space is shifting satellites’ value to the actionable services they can deliver, and their potential for change in our approach to space. An agile mission design enhances data accessibility and innovation, adopting lower budgets and shorter schedules. In this paper we show that New Space entails sustainability for both the upstream and downstream elements of a space mission. We delved into the benefits that such a paradigm shift of space delivers to multi-dimensions of sustainability: economic, socioeconomic, and environmental. We assess how leaner satellite manufacturing allows the acceleration of design, development, and processes. Involving smaller actors and enlarging the horizons to unprecedented jobs deployment. Furthermore, New Space can reduce the environmental footprint of space activities. We demonstrate how Earth Observation (EO) data is transformed into added-value insight, and how it tackles the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Thereby, this article promotes today’s sustainable contribution up to space, thus empowering the next generation to live in a greener future, stemming from space.