Sustainable Space Missions: Designing Low Carbon Satellites and Launch Systems
Day: Wednesday 3 June
Time: 11:00 - 11:30
As the world races toward net‑zero targets, the space sector faces growing pressure to lower its own environmental footprint. Space systems are essential to monitoring global climate change, yet their development, launch, and disposal also generate emissions, debris, and environmental impacts. This session examines how the industry can transition toward greener, more sustainable mission architectures. Participants will explore the latest advances in green propellants, reusable launch systems, in‑orbit servicing, and responsible end‑of‑life strategies. The discussion will also address the environmental accounting of space missions, including life‑cycle assessments and emerging guidelines from international bodies on environmental sustainability in space activities. The session will highlight opportunities for industry and governments to collaborate on low‑carbon mission requirements and mechanisms to align space‑sector practices with broader climate commitments. By bridging engineering, policy, and environmental science, the panel will illustrate how the next generation of missions can be fully compatible with global climate goals.
