The Science Summit 2024, convened by Domingos Barbosa from ISC/AERAP at UNGA79 in Portugal, addressed the critical theme of “Space Sustainability I: Preserve the Space Environment to Achieve SDGs.” The summit highlighted the pressing challenges and opportunities in the rapidly evolving realm of outer space. As new commercial capabilities emerge, including heightened satellite activity, innovative satellite constellations, autonomous spacecraft, and commercial space destinations, the dynamics of the space environment are undergoing significant transformation.

However, this surge in activity has raised critical concerns. The proliferation of space debris and increased space traffic pose risks of orbital congestion, threatening the safety of existing spacecraft and the quality of the dark sky. Furthermore, the escalating production of spacecraft and the frequency of orbital launches contribute to the sector’s growing environmental footprint.

Space plays an essential role in advancing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Yet, this reliance on space technology presents a paradox. As we leverage space to support global sustainability initiatives, we must grapple with the possibility that these very activities could become unsustainable, jeopardizing both our planet and the space environment. This complex dilemma has been aptly described as the “space sustainability paradox” (Ross & Vasili, 2024).

Space sustainability

Key speakers at the summit included Rodolphe Muñoz from the European Commission, Claire Elß from Cosmos for Humanity in Switzerland, Federico Di Vruno of SKAO in the United Kingdom, and Kenneth MacLeod, a member of AIAA and IAU-CPS from the USA. Additional contributors included Jessica Heim from the University of Southern Queensland in Australia, Dimane Mpoeleng from the Botswana Satellite Project at the Botswana International University of Science & Technology (BIUST), Aboubakar Mambimba Ndjoungui from the Gabonese Agency for Space Studies and Observations (AGEOS), and Matías Campos Abad from ASTRALINTU in Ecuador.

Moderated by Niklas Hedman of COSPAR, the discussions emphasized the need for a robust scientific understanding to inform policymakers and guide the development of sustainable practices. Collaborative efforts to share knowledge and information globally are crucial for maximizing the benefits of space for all humanity.

As we move forward, the insights gained from such discussions at the Science Summit are vital in fostering sustainable practices that can harmonize the burgeoning potential of space exploration with the necessity of protecting our shared environment.