Design Guidelines for Space Sustainability

The interest and sensitivity to the sustainability of the space environment is growing, along with respect for international guidelines to reduce debris. Nonetheless, the level of space sustainability remains unsatisfactory, particularly in the long term. This is not an ideal scenario for the key role that large satellite constellations are playing and will continue to play in providing global connectivity and achieving the “connecting the unconnected” goal.

Technology, particularly artificial intelligence and the software-defined paradigm, as well as bold design choices and extensive coordination among space players, are crucial allies in making global connectivity and space sustainability feasible without compromising one for the other. Increased awareness is needed regarding technologies and design approaches that are intrinsically sustainability-prone.

The Distinguished Lecture (DL) is aimed at providing ideas and potential solutions to achieve the goal of connectivity in a sustainable space environment. This can be made feasible in the medium and long term through a profound change in the design approach.