Building end-to-end space sustainability

Protection of the environment does not stop at the edge of the atmosphere. Today, the space sector is confronting a vital parallel between the need to manage our industrial footprint on Earth and the urgency of keeping orbits safe from the growing threat of space debris. To address this, the engineering focus is shifting towards a more holistic approach of sustainability. To build a resilient future, industry is looking across the entire lifecycle, embedding low-carbon, data-driven methods into our industrial processes on Earth, while simultaneously deploying innovative solutions to safeguard space.

Mapping the footprint on Earth: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Ecodesign

Managing our industrial footprint requires precise, granular data. To achieve this, Airbus has placed FORUM, an upcoming ESA Earth observation satellite, under the microscope using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies.

Rather than relying on broad estimates, the team analysed everything from satellite and ground support equipment manufacturing to transportation and office-based design work. This comprehensive data mapping has provided a robust baseline, allowing engineers to pinpoint environmental hotspots. Moreover, it provides actionable ecodesign recommendations and data to enrich the ESA LCA database for the design of future missions.

The FORUM satellite in Airbus’ cleanroom, it will measure the heat emitted from Earth into space

This assessment also highlighted the need for more precise data regarding manufacturing and testing activities. To address this challenge, the ESA GMAIT study (Towards Greener Manufacturing, Assembly, Integration and Test) conducted a deep dive into five essential satellite subsystems: propulsion systems, solar arrays, batteries, heat pipes, and star trackers. By unlocking the environmental profiles of these core components, Airbus is turning ecodesign from a high-level goal into a practical cleanroom reality.

Metrics alone, however, are ineffective without practical implementation. To embed these principles into regular practices, Airbus and Thales Alenia Space were commissioned by the French space agency (CNES) to author an Ecodesign rulebook. This framework requires engineering teams to integrate sustainability parameters from day one, while encouraging teams to optimise daily habits, reduce travel, and incorporate responsible procurement standards.

Protecting the space environment with innovation

Minimising the industrial footprint on Earth is only half of the equation; the same rigorous sustainability principles must extend into orbit. Airbus is pioneering technologies designed to keep our skies safe and dark.

Detumbler, a magnetic brake for dead satellites

During life time or after end of life manoeuvres, some spacecraft can enter a ‘tumbling’ mode, spinning uncontrollably, due to propulsion failures, debris impacts, or the slow accumulation of tiny external disturbances over time. This could make them nearly impossible to intercept. To ensure satellites remain a stable target to capture and de-orbit, Airbus has developed the Detumbler, a passive device that uses Earth’s magnetic field to dampen a satellite’s rotation. A detumbling function is set to become a mandatory requirement for upcoming ESA satellites.

Function demonstration, see detailled description

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Detumbler, a magnetic brake for dead satellites:

Separable joints: mitigation technologies to avoid casualties on ground

For a satellite to leave orbit safely at the end of its life, it needs to completely burn up upon re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. However, certain components, such as the titanium brackets holding optical cameras steady, are designed to survive extreme conditions and can reach the ground intact.

Airbus is working on an ESA-funded project to design separable joints, helping the satellite to break apart and burn up safely in the atmosphere. By using advanced software to simulate re-entry heat, engineers are identifying strategic weak points and testing 3D-printed internal structures that melt faster than traditional solid metal.

Design architecture for space observation preservation

The deployment of large low Earth orbit internet constellations has created a significant challenge for astronomers, with bright, radio-emitting satellites increasingly obstructing deep-space observations with light trails. In collaboration with Eutelsat, Airbus is designing future fleets to be dark and quiet from inception. By collaborating directly with the astronomical community, our teams are developing anti-reflective materials and angling solar arrays to minimise glare, while simultaneously setting strict electronic volume limits to prevent radio frequency leakage from blinding terrestrial telescopes.

Addressing the environmental challenges of future space missions requires a dual strategy that spans from the cleanroom to the end of a satellite's operational life. As the density of orbital traffic increases and the regulatory landscape matures, integrating sustainability across the entire lifecycle of a space mission is no longer just an option.