The Space Sustainability Paradox: What is space sustainability and how can it be achieved?

Webinar by Dr Andrew Wilson (Glasgow Caledonian University)
Thursday, 19th October 2023, 13:00 CEST

Abstract The recent growth of the space sector, spurred by a surge in private actors, has led to a sharp increase in our ability to address societal challenges through space data. However, this has exacerbated an already critical situation in space: the proliferation of space debris and a critical expansion of space traffic which is leading to high levels of orbital congestion. In parallel, increased levels of spacecraft production and orbital launches are also heightening the environmental footprint of the sector. This might lead to a paradoxical situation whereby the use of space to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) becomes unsustainable from the perspective of both the Earth and space environment. This situation can be described as the ‘space sustainability paradox’. This presentation will explore this concept for the first time, investigating what space sustainability actually means and whether we are on course to achieve it.