A circular economy is the only path to sustainability in space
By Moriba Jah|November 2024
Services from space are becoming increasingly vital to modern life, and that means the traditional model of single-use, disposable satellites is rapidly proving untenable. The exponential growth of space debris and uncontrolled orbital traffic is driving us toward a crisis of orbital carrying capacity. We risk choking off the very access that we all depend on, unless we take immediate action to shift toward a circular space economy in which satellites are robotically captured in orbit and reused or their parts recycled.
When I wrote a LinkedIn post on this topic in early October, it sparked a lively discussion. For those that disagreed with me, the thrust of their arguments was that reusing or recycling satellites is neither economically nor technologically feasible. They pointed to rapid obsolescence of technology, harsh radiation environments and the exorbitant cost of in-orbit recycling and fabrication facilities. Therefore, they concluded, single-use satellites that can be built and launched cheaply make more sense. Yet this logic fails to account for the long-term consequences of the throwaway approach.
Today, space is a crowded domain. Some 10,500 active satellites orbit Earth, but they are vastly outnumbered by a combined 30,000 additional trackable objects, comprised of defunct satellites, fragments from past collisions and spent rocket stages. Every satellite launch adds at least one more object to this hazardous mix, inching us closer to the saturation of orbital carrying capacity, which would render entire orbits operationally unusable. Even now, we face the reality that certain key orbits are beyond this point, given the number of collision avoidance maneuvers being performed. In these orbits, it’s now impossible to simply coast along in an unhindered or unperturbed ballistic arc to provide a beneficial service or deliver great science.
The cost of maintaining space sustainability is significant, but the cost of ignoring the risks will be much higher in the end. As we approach the saturation of usable orbital space, the risk of collisions will increase, leading to greater operational hazards and rising costs for every future mission. At a certain point, the sheer volume of debris will make it economically impossible to launch any new satellites into these orbits — single-use or otherwise — halting our ability to utilize naturally favorable parts of orbital space altogether.
Circularity is not just about reuse and recycling; it is about designing for responsible waste management by extending the lifecycle of space assets, designing satellites for modularity and repair and enabling on-orbit servicing. Contrary to the fears of rapid technological obsolescence, many satellite missions don’t require cutting-edge hardware. Space radiation, however, ages satellite components. Those in favor of continuing to launch single-use satellites may also note that computational power has increased along with miniaturization, which allows greater autonomous satellite capabilities and data processing. However, this is where technology like an on- orbit fabrication facility that leverages 3D printing technology could truly allow for satellite reuse and recyclability. Modular designs could allow for updates and repairs in space, extending the operational lifespan of satellites beyond their current shelf life.
To help make the shift toward sustainability, I’ve been asked by AIAA to chair the newly created Space Sustainability Task Force. This group has the immense challenge of igniting the development of a sustainable space economy. Its mission is to foster the shift toward a circular space economy by advancing policy advocacy, engaging with indigenous knowledge systems (such as traditional ecological knowledge principles and tenets), raising public awareness and leveraging advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Our task force will consider everything from promoting legislation informed by scientific research to collaborating with global environmental organizations that I’m a member of, like the National Geographic Society, where I am an “explorer,” and the Explorers Club, the New York City group that, inter alia, funds scientific expeditions. By harnessing AI and machine learning, we can uncover hidden insights about space traffic management and sustainability. By involving diverse perspectives, including the traditional ecological knowledge of indigenous peoples, we will help develop sustainable practices in space — practices that balance human needs with the preservation of outer space as a finite resource.
I have also heard from members of the U.S. military who, in informal conversation, dismiss the idea of circularity. They argue that the military’s mission is paramount and that any solution must demonstrate its ability to deliver results more effectively than the current cheap, disposable satellite systems. In their view, the proliferation of inexpensive satellites provides a form of deterrence: The more disposable objects in orbit, the harder it is for adversaries to target critical assets.
This mindset, while pragmatic in the short term, is deeply flawed. The sheer number of single-use satellites contributes to the very space congestion that threatens future operations, including military ones. Relying on a vast number of cheap, expendable satellites as a form of defense assumes that space remains a reliable, functional domain. But how reliable can it be when it’s cluttered with debris, and how functional when the risk of collision grows with every launch?
We need to rethink the economics of space. Yes, developing reusable satellites and in-orbit recycling facilities will require significant investment. Yes, the radiation environment presents real challenges. But these are not insurmountable obstacles. What is truly unaffordable is the current trajectory. Without a pivot toward a circular space economy, we are gambling with the future of space operations itself.
The choice is clear: We continue down the path of single-use satellites and watch as space fills up with debris, making future missions more expensive, dangerous and eventually impossible. Or, we embrace the challenge of circularity and ensure that space remains a sustainable, accessible resource for generations to come.
The time to act is now.
Related Topics
Space Economy
