Overview
- Published December 1 in Chem Circularity and led by Jin Xuan of the University of Surrey, the roadmap consolidates technical and policy steps for sustainable space operations.
- Recommendations include designing spacecraft for durability and modular repair, with space stations serving as hubs for refueling, servicing, and in-orbit manufacturing to reduce replacement launches.
- The authors call for soft-landing systems such as parachutes and airbags to enable safe return, inspection, refurbishment, and material recovery of hardware.
- Active debris mitigation features prominently, with proposals to capture objects using nets or robotic arms to reclaim materials and lower collision risk.
- Data-driven tools and AI are highlighted to guide design, reduce physical testing through simulations, monitor hardware aging, and help avoid debris, with adoption requiring international collaboration and new regulatory frameworks.