A holistic systems thinking approach to space sustainability via space debris management
A holistic systems thinking approach to space sustainability via space debris management
This paper explores the concept of space sustainability and its interconnections using systems thinking approaches. This is done by highlighting the importance of multi-disciplinary perspectives when creating policies aimed at addressing the complex challenges of sustainability for space-related activities. Causal loop diagrams are employed to highlight the presence of feedback loops and causal relationships that are typically absent in space debris models and are treated as separate systems. A systems representation of the space environment is presented along with a discussion of its role in furthering research relating to the impact of large satellite constellations on factors important for holistic sustainability. This study investigated one example feedback between the space environment and the atmosphere and found that CO2 emissions specifically emitted from launches and re-entries have no significant impact on atmospheric density below 500 km.
Atmosphere, CO2, Causal loop diagram, Circular economy, Feedbacks, Re-entry, Space sustainability, Systems thinking, Circular Economy, Models, Launch
Perks, Megan E.
94ad0f72-c3c7-4154-8c5e-a2fc8d1359b7
Lewis, Hugh G.
e9048cd8-c188-49cb-8e2a-45f6b316336a
Vaidya, Nina
aa741ed5-08f6-4d6c-8719-cdf727cd9e4b
10 June 2024
Perks, Megan E.
94ad0f72-c3c7-4154-8c5e-a2fc8d1359b7
Lewis, Hugh G.
e9048cd8-c188-49cb-8e2a-45f6b316336a
Vaidya, Nina
aa741ed5-08f6-4d6c-8719-cdf727cd9e4b
Perks, Megan E., Lewis, Hugh G. and Vaidya, Nina
(2024)
A holistic systems thinking approach to space sustainability via space debris management.
Journal of Space Safety Engineering.
(doi:10.1016/j.jsse.2024.05.007).
Abstract
This paper explores the concept of space sustainability and its interconnections using systems thinking approaches. This is done by highlighting the importance of multi-disciplinary perspectives when creating policies aimed at addressing the complex challenges of sustainability for space-related activities. Causal loop diagrams are employed to highlight the presence of feedback loops and causal relationships that are typically absent in space debris models and are treated as separate systems. A systems representation of the space environment is presented along with a discussion of its role in furthering research relating to the impact of large satellite constellations on factors important for holistic sustainability. This study investigated one example feedback between the space environment and the atmosphere and found that CO2 emissions specifically emitted from launches and re-entries have no significant impact on atmospheric density below 500 km.
Text
JSSE Article - A holistic systems thinking approach to space sustainability via space debris management
- Proof
More information
Accepted/In Press date: 22 May 2024
e-pub ahead of print date: 10 June 2024
Published date: 10 June 2024
Additional Information:
Publisher Copyright:
© 2024
Keywords:
Atmosphere, CO2, Causal loop diagram, Circular economy, Feedbacks, Re-entry, Space sustainability, Systems thinking, Circular Economy, Models, Launch
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 491787
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/491787
ISSN: 2468-8967
PURE UUID: f4baa7dc-1371-4075-8a3f-eff0b22c6261
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 04 Jul 2024 16:34
Last modified: 12 Jul 2024 02:11
Export record
Altmetrics
Contributors
Author:
Megan E. Perks
Author:
Nina Vaidya
Download statistics
Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.
View more statistics