Engineering and Technology for Sustainable Space

Space-based technologies are on the rise.  Satellites have transformed our capability to monitor, navigate and communicate across the globe.  But satellite overpopulation in valuable earth orbits has become a concern.  And future space-based solar stations, space tourism and research vehicles will only add to the volume of activity beyond Earth’s atmosphere.  In this collection we will explore directions of research for the optimal design, use and management of space-based technologies to maintain a productive and sustainable space environment.  We are also happy to consider research exploring resource circularity and sustainability in the manufacture of technologies and their delivery and deployment vehicles.

Topics of interest include:
• Space situational awareness: Space traffic management and control, satellite communication and positioning, such as space cybersecurity, on board data handling, space navigation and control, space environment surveillance and tracking, such as moving object detection and characterization

• In-orbit assembly, maintenance, and servicing: in-orbit manufacturing and construction, in-orbit operation, satellite inspection, orbit control and analysis, in-orbit refueling, space docking systems

• Space pollution reduction and clean up: Space waste treatment technology: tow and scrap, recycling, debris remediation and removal, space pollution treatment, including light pollution, dust pollution

• Technology design and ground support: For example eco-system design, ground support technologies, sustainable propulsion, including propulsion sensors, fuels, deflection