In a commentary published December 1 in the Cell Press journal Chem Circularity, sustainability specialists and space scientists outline how strategies to reduce, reuse, and recycle materials could be integrated into satellite and spacecraft design, manufacturing, in-orbit operations, and end-of-life management.

They frame their proposal as a roadmap for a circular space economy in which technologies, materials, and infrastructure are developed to function together across the sector, rather than as isolated projects.

"As space activity accelerates, from mega-constellations of satellites to future lunar and Mars missions, we must make sure exploration doesn't repeat the mistakes made on Earth," says senior author and chemical engineer Jin Xuan of the University of Surrey.

"A truly sustainable space future starts with technologies, materials and systems working together."

The authors note that most satellites and spacecraft are currently decommissioned by being moved into graveyard orbits or left as debris, meaning that their materials are almost never recovered or repurposed and instead contribute to a growing population of orbital junk that can interfere with operating satellites.

They describe these practices as unsustainable in the context of rapidly increasing private and public launches and argue for a shift toward systems that are designed for reuse, repair, and recycling to support long-term access to space.

Lessons from sectors such as consumer electronics and automotive manufacturing, where circular design concepts are already being tested, could inform space hardware architectures and materials choices.

The roadmap centers on the 3 Rs of reduce, reuse, and recycle and applies them to both launch systems and on-orbit infrastructure.

To cut waste, the authors recommend designing satellites and spacecraft for higher durability and ease of repair, and using existing or future space stations as hubs where spacecraft can be refueled, serviced, or used to manufacture components, which could reduce the number of launches required for replacement hardware.

To support reuse and recycling of spacecraft and station components, they propose investing in soft-landing technologies such as parachutes and airbags so hardware can be returned safely for inspection, refurbishment, or material recovery.

Because spacecraft and satellites experience substantial wear and tear in harsh space conditions, any component that might be reused would need to pass rigorous safety tests before flying again.

The paper also calls for active recovery of orbital debris, for example using nets or robotic arms, both to reclaim material for recycling and to reduce collision risks that can generate additional fragments and intensify the debris problem.

The authors highlight that fragmentation events such as collisions, explosions from residual propellant, and spontaneous breakup account for most cataloged debris objects, with additional contributions from decommissioned spacecraft and mission-related items released during operations.

Data analysis and digital tools, including artificial intelligence, are identified as central to implementing more sustainable space operations by using spacecraft data to guide design choices, replacing some physical tests with simulations, and enabling autonomous systems that help spacecraft avoid debris.

Simulation models could reduce the need for resource-intensive ground testing, while on-orbit monitoring of component degradation would inform future materials and design decisions.

Because creating a circular space economy would represent a major transition in how the space sector operates, the authors argue that agencies, companies, and regulators will need to consider the whole system at once instead of focusing only on individual missions or components.

"We need innovation at every level, from materials that can be reused or recycled in orbit and modular spacecraft that can be upgraded instead of discarded, to data systems that track how hardware ages in space," says Xuan.

"But just as importantly, we need international collaboration and policy frameworks to encourage reuse and recovery beyond Earth.

The next phase is about connecting chemistry, design, and governance to turn sustainability into the default model for space."

The authors report that their work was supported by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, the Leverhulme Trust, and the Surrey-Adelaide Partnership Fund and classify the article as a commentary on resource and materials efficiency in the emerging circular space economy.

Research Report:Resource and materials efficiency in the circular space economy

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