Overview
- Published December 1 in Chem Circularity, the paper led by Jin Xuan outlines how reduce, reuse, and recycle principles can be embedded across spacecraft design, operations, and end-of-life.
- Recommendations include building more durable, repairable, and modular spacecraft and using space stations as hubs for refueling, repairs, and in-orbit manufacturing to cut replacement launches.
- The authors call for soft-landing recovery systems such as parachutes and airbags and for active debris capture using nets or robotic arms to reclaim materials and lower collision risk.
- Data-driven tools feature prominently, with analysis, simulation, and AI proposed to guide design decisions, reduce physical testing, and enable autonomous avoidance of orbital debris.
- Fragmentation events account for roughly 65% of cataloged debris with most remaining objects tied to retired hardware, and the authors stress that broad adoption will require coordinated international policy.