Ground-breaking Research Framework Illuminates Environmental Trade-offs for Informed Space Sustainability Decisions

As the space industry embraces its responsibility for orbital debris and environmental stewardship, new research from the University of Manchester, in collaboration with industry partners including Andrew Iwanoczko (CEO of Callala, MD of SustainabilityOf.Space), provides the sophisticated analytical tools needed to navigate the intricate trade-offs that define sustainable space operations.

The comprehensive study, "Towards an Environmentally Sustainable Space Future: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Assess Terrestrial and Orbital Interdependencies," introduces a pioneering modular life cycle assessment framework that addresses a fundamental challenge in modern space operations: understanding the complete environmental picture of our activities both in orbit and on Earth.

This research directly supports the mission of Space Leaderboard's sustainability initiatives by providing quantitative metrics that link back to established terrestrial standards (ISSB) and more emergent space-based standards via the British Standards Institute (BSI) and Earth-Space Sustainability Initiative (ESSI). The framework focuses on two critical mission phases: (a.) Design & Manufacturing and (b.) Launch & Propulsion; integrating both qualitative and quantitative metrics to assess emissions, energy consumption, and resource utilisation across the entire mission lifecycle.

Rather than suggesting that space missions are inherently problematic, the research empowers decision makers with comprehensive data to make informed choices about design alternatives and operational approaches.

Using an Active Debris Removal mission as a case study, the research team quantified a terrestrial environmental footprint of 2,713 MWh in energy consumption and 880 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions over five years, equivalent to the annual energy consumption of 1,000 UK households and emissions from 145 homes. These findings provide the transparency needed to assess different mission architectures and identify opportunities for environmental optimisation.

What makes this work particularly valuable to Space Leaderboard's vision is its interdisciplinary approach, bringing together experts from astrodynamics, systems engineering, sustainability science, economics, and governance. This holistic perspective acknowledges that space sustainability involves complex, interconnected challenges where solutions in one area may create new considerations in another: What researchers call "wicked problems" that require nuanced, ethical decision making rather than simple optimisation.

The framework's modular design enables adaptation across diverse mission types, from In-Orbit Servicing and Assembly to In-Situ Resource Utilisation, precisely the kind of flexible, standardised approach needed as the space industry scales thoughtfully. By introducing sustainability metrics early in mission planning, the research provides decision makers with tools to balance orbital benefits against terrestrial considerations, acknowledging that sometimes difficult choices must be made between competing environmental priorities.

Andrew Iwanoczko's industry perspective, representing Callala, ensures the framework

remains grounded in practical implementation realities, while the University of Manchester maintains scientific rigour. This collaboration between academia and industry exemplifies the integrated approach necessary to address space sustainability's multifaceted challenges and help to differentiate what is “knowable” to what is “actionable”.

As space activities accelerate and constellation deployments multiply, this research provides the analytical foundation for informed growth. It transforms sustainability from an afterthought into a core design consideration, enabling the space sector to pursue orbital objectives whilst maintaining environmental accountability and transparency about the choices we make.

Towards an Environmentally Sustainable Space Future: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Assess Terrestrial and Orbital Interdependencies

Manu H. Nair, John C. Mackintosh, Laurie Waller, Carys Thomas, Nicholas H. Crisp, Kate Smith, Alejandro Gallego-Schmid, Craig Thomas, Andrew Iwanoczko, Joey Tabone, Rob Bellamy and Ciara N. McGrath

AIAA 2025-4009

Session: Orbital Debris Management

Published Online:16 Jul 2025https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2025-4009

Graphic Design: Victoria Beall