The space economy is a rapidly developing sector projected to grow at an average annual rate of 9%, reaching over 1.5 trillion euros by 2035. However, to ensure the long-term sustainability of space activities, it is essential to address their environmental impact on Earth and beyond, from atmospheric emissions to the growing accumulation of space junk. So, what actions can we take to safeguard the future of space and ensure its resources are utilised fairly and sustainably?
Satellites play a crucial role in our daily lives. They enable global communication, GPS navigation, weather forecasting, and environmental monitoring, among other applications. They are essential for our daily activities and help us in emergency responses. They also guide the development of scientific research, enhance our understanding of space, assist in the search for habitable worlds, and track potential asteroid threats. Nevertheless, the increasing number of satellites also presents some challenges.
Prof. Pascale Ehrenfreund, President of the Committee of Space research (COSPAR) and Research Professor of Space Policy and International Affairs at the Space Policy Institute/George Washington University: “There is a significant expansion of space activities nowadays. New countries and numerous commercial entities are also getting increasingly involved in the space sector. We now have over 80 space agencies or offices worldwide. Even smaller countries are emerging in the space sector as they wish to reap the benefits. Despite the benefits of space activities, they also carry substantial long-term environmental impacts.” – Read the full interview with Pascale Ehrenfreund
The danger of space debris
At present, approximately 34,260 objects (larger than 1cm in size) are tracked in orbit, and only about 25% of them are functional satellites. The rest consists of space junk – better known as space debris, or rather, all the non-functioning, human-made objects in Earth’s orbit or re-entering the atmosphere, including broken parts and fragments, defunct satellites and abandoned rocket stages. Space debris can be a danger to all functioning satellites and any space missions in general.
Dr Michael Hennessy Picard, Lecturer in International Environmental Law at The University of Edinburgh: “So, the problem arises when space debris strikes another orbital object, causing the space debris to multiply until it potentially turns space into a junkyard. This risk, associated with collisions between space debris or functioning satellites, has been documented since 1978 in the famous publication by Kessler. According to his theory, we could reach a snowball effect of cascading debris, where each collision creates new pieces of junk that collide in ever-increasing numbers. If the Kessler syndrome were actually to happen, all missions would have to expect damage in certain areas of space.” – Read the full interview with Michael Hennessy Picard
By 2030, there may be 58,000 active satellites; with the launch of additional satellites, orbits are becoming increasingly congested, raising the potential for collisions. Therefore, it is essential to regulate and monitor space launches while investing in technologies that can help track and eliminate orbital debris.
According to Dr Picard, one possible solution to make space activities more sustainable is to establish international laws that incentivise applying circular economy principles to the space sector.
“The first pillar of the circular economy is protecting the spacecraft, so extending the life expectancy of a satellite in the first place. The second pillar is to reuse and repair space objects. And the third pillar is to retrieve and recycle abandoned objects. Over time, the implementation of a circular space economy may reduce the environmental and carbon footprint of space activities on Earth. Circularity is also promoted by the newly proposed EU Space Act, a draft legislation on the safety, resilience and sustainability of space activities in the Union,” clarifies Dr Picard.
He also notes that, although the circular space economy is still in its early stages, some soft laws and engineering guidelines related to space now incorporate some core principles of a circular economy. For example, he mentioned that “there’s an international docking system standard that encourages shared use of space systems via a common interface. By following this standard, any company can offer on-orbit servicing on space stations, including refurbishment and refuelling. This helps avoid early satellite decommissioning and promotes sustainable space practices.”
Binding regulations
However, as Prof. Pascale Ehrenfreund notes, soft laws and principles alone are not enough: the absence of binding international regulations on celestial resource exploitation and space activities could lead to conflicts and environmental harm in the years to come.
“We must promote the development of regulatory frameworks to support effective space governance. This remains a complex challenge, as no comprehensive system or governing body currently exists to oversee these efforts. That said, I want to emphasise the vital role of science in all space activities, as science also remains a highly effective area of international cooperation. As science advances rapidly, it is essential that the latest scientific findings are promptly integrated into policies and regulations to ensure timely and effective decision-making. Multiple space stakeholders need to collaborate in developing these new frameworks and agree on solutions for the developing space sector,” explains Prof. Ehrenfreund.
Space and Earth: one continuous system
According to her, to achieve this, we need a fundamental shift in how we conceptualise space. The increasing interdependence between terrestrial and space-based activities, such as environmental monitoring, communication, navigation, and resource management, demonstrates the need to consider space and Earth as part of a continuous and interconnected system.
In fact, Dr Michael Picard adds that “space is now viewed as an unlimited resource to be exploited. It is almost seen as a new colonial frontier that can be explored extensively without considering the consequences of our actions. In the past, Europeans colonised the Americas, thinking it was a vast land devoid of people that could be plundered at will. Therefore, we should be aware of our colonial history and recognise that space colonisation has serious implications for Earth’s environment and our future.”
As Prof. Ehrenfreund mentions, working on space sustainability is not just for us, but also for future generations. “We have an intergenerational responsibility, as all the decisions being made now will impact future generations, who often think differently. A forward-looking perspective is thus crucial for space exploration, resource management, and governance, as future generations will need to carry these efforts forward to safeguard both our planet and outer space.” This is why, she argues, space programs should also encompass interdisciplinarity, intercultural understanding, and international collaboration.
“It’s crucial for us to foster critical thinking, transparency, and to prepare future space professionals to act as stewards and diplomats, guiding humanity’s expansion beyond Earth with foresight and fairness,” she adds.
Useful links:
• EU Space Act proposal and public consultation (open until 11 September 2025)
• ‘EU media coverage on space debris – A data-driven analysis’
Related content:
• A scientist’s opinion: interview with Prof. Pascale Ehrenfreund on space sustainability
• A scientist’s opinion: interview with Dr Michael Hennessy Picard on space sustainability