Space activities, especially functioning satellite communication systems, are integral to addressing global commons challenges such as climate change, biodiversity extinction and transboundary pollution. However, as human activities in space become more frequent and technically sophisticated the potential for environmental impacts from orbital debris, rare Earth minerals extraction, celestial resource utilisation and energy consumption increases. As such sustainability is a rapidly expanding research theme amongst space actors, an increasingly interdisciplinary community. Space sustainability is a global commons problem requiring international cooperation. However due to geopolitical competition diplomacy to agree a sustainability framework to minimise the negative impact of space activities on Earth, in space orbit and on celestial bodies is currently unlikely. Into the diplomatic void innovative systems wide solutions from space actors including states, business, organisations and academia are needed. The UK is already a pioneer in research and policy on space sustainability, especially on satellite debris recovery.
This interdisciplinary workshop follows on from pioneering sustainable space waste management research by the University of Surrey’s Space Centre. Today however the scope of sustainability research extends beyond debris recovery to prevention, smart design and regulation. In this workshop we will bring together scientists, engineers, lawyers, international relations experts and business representatives to identify interdisciplinary pathways to space sustainability.
ORGANISERS
Dr Feja Lesniewska, Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Transitions and Environmental Law, University of Surrey
Associate Professor Joshua Andresen, Director, Centre for the Study of Global Power Competition (CGPC), University of Surrey
Professor Rosalind Malcolm, Co-director, Surrey Centre for International and Environmental Law (SCIEL), University of Surrey
Dan Smith, Space South Central, University of Southampton
Elizabeth Clutton, ESA Business Application Space Solutions (BASS), Ambassador of the South East and East of England
Pier Lion Stopatto UK ESA BASS Ambassador Coordinator
Professor Keith Ryden Head of Surrey Space Centre, University of Surrey
Joaquin Perez-Grande, Space Ecosystem Manager, Satellite Applications Catapult Ltd
Registration details will be available soon.
Sorry, this event is not currently accepting abstracts.