Sustainability in Space: The New Frontier

Introduction

In recent years, the space industry has undergone a rapid and revolutionary transformation. Once exclusively the domain of governments focused on exploration and defence, space is now being explored by a diverse array of private companies. These companies are pushing the boundaries of human achievement and expanding industry to the masses through space tourism.

Besides looking to the stars, they are also deeply committed to making our planet a better place, by introducing new sustainable technologies like reusable rockets, space debris management, improved resource efficiency, and even asteroid mining.

Industry Trends

A McKinsey report predicts a tripling of active satellites by 2030, driven by significant reductions in satellite costs, thanks in part to SpaceX's game-changing approach, which has brought launch expenses down by 100 times to roughly US$1,200 per pound of payload. Additionally, satellite technology, especially in low Earth orbit (LEO) applications is advancing, leading to a 130% rise in global investments over the past five years.

In this dynamic landscape, stakeholders are competing for limited resources such as orbits and frequency channels, spurring innovation across various aspects of the space tech industry. Several industry giants have already made significant investments and actively immersed themselves in the sector. For instance, SpaceX has already launched over 2,000 Starlink satellites and plans a second-generation system with about 30,000 satellites, while Amazon is heavily investing $10 billion in Project Kuiper, a broadband satellite constellation featuring over 3,200 satellites.

Investment Surge

The overall space market is projected to grow from $447 billion in 2022 to a staggering $1 trillion by 2030. This growth is paralleled by the expectation of private funding increasing from $12 billion to $20 billion, indicating strong confidence in prospects.

Prominent venture capital firms like Andreessen Horowitz, Founders Fund, and Lux Capital have been actively fueling early-stage companies' growth. For example, Astranis Space Technologies secured an impressive $250 million in a series C round in April 2021, reflecting growing investor confidence in cost-effective, geostationary communication satellites. Astroscale is another startup which has raised $76 million from investors, including satellite maker Mitsubishi Electric to add docking plates for their Japanese national security spacecraft.

Space Debris Management

Amidst rapid growth and investment surge comes new challenges posed by space debris and orbital congestion. As the number of satellites in orbit continues to multiply, the risk of collisions and the accumulation of space debris heightens. The continued expansion of this dynamic industry hinges not only on technological innovation and market growth but also on responsible space debris management to ensure the long-term sustainability of space.

Space debris includes all inactive or uncontrolled objects in Earth's orbit, including defunct satellites, expended rocket stages, fragments from damaged spacecraft, and smaller detritus like screws and bolts. According to the European Space Agency, there are approximately 2 trillion pieces of debris measuring 0.1 mm in diameter and another 128 million pieces measuring 1 mm in diameter. The space industry is recognizing the urgent need for effective space debris management, especially in light of the expected increase in spacecraft launches.?

This escalating space debris challenge poses various threats, with the most significant one being operational satellites. Collisions with debris can lead to damage or even destruction of active satellites, resulting in disruptions to essential services such as telecommunications and navigation. Once the density of debris becomes high enough for a self-perpetuating cycle of collisions called the Kessler Syndrome, certain orbits would be rendered unusable for extended periods. Fortunately, the development of new technologies will play a pivotal role in enhancing the accuracy of satellite and debris position prediction, aiding in the mitigation of these challenges.

Astroscale

Founded in 2013, Astroscale is committed to advancing the sustainable use of space, which includes clearing up space trash. Their mission is to develop scalable solutions for on-orbit servicing, such as life extension, surveillance and tracking, end-of-life (EOL) management, and active debris removal (ADR). Astroscale collaborates with government agencies and commercial stakeholders to establish standards and practical incentives that will foster the responsible utilisation of space resources, ensuring the long-term viability and cooperation of space activities.

A typical debris removal operation is a meticulous process.

1. It begins with the Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) phase, during which an Astroscale service spacecraft is tasked with pinpointing and gathering comprehensive data about the client space object and its immediate environment. This critical step sets the stage for the subsequent phases.
2. The debris is then deorbited during the Capture and Removal phase, with the Astroscale Docking Plate which the company aspires to set as the industry's gold standard for satellite operators.

In March 2021, the company achieved a momentous milestone by successfully launching its first mission to demonstrate its EOL services. This mission served as a crucial proving ground for the core technologies required for debris docking and removal. Over the next few years, Astroscale will build upon this success and learning with two more missions, each geared towards further demonstrating the feasibility of sustainable practices in space.

Conclusion

The space industry is undergoing a sustainable transformation with private companies leading the way. With satellite deployment and investments increasing, managing space debris becomes crucial. Advanced technologies and innovation will play a vital role in addressing these challenges and ensuring the long-term viability of space activities. As we explore the cosmos, sustainability remains a top priority for preserving our place in the universe.

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Editors: @bryanki, Shi Tong Kim and Daniel Kok