Running
Duration: 36 months
The European Space Agency’s (ESA) pioneering work on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has enabled more sustainable practices through the evaluation of life cycle environmental impacts of space systems. However, industry adoption of this method remains limited due to concerns over the perceived financial burden of being 'sustainable'. This research seeks to bridge this gap by developing a quantitative open-source simplified LCA tool with integrated cost analysis, enabling decision-makers to evaluate the financial implications of sustainable life cycle decisions on early space mission design concepts. The tool will combine datasets from existing LCA databases such as the Strathclyde Space Systems Database (SSSD) with cost data obtained from multiple stakeholders based on a variety of data collection approaches. The cost data will be incorporated into the tool through parametric cost modelling techniques, to provide accurate and scalable cost estimates tailored to specific mission parameters. Two versions of the tool will be developed. The first will be an ESA internal confidential tool, fully open in Excel to mirror the application of ESA cost tools, allowing for data maintenance and scalability. The second will be an online web-based simplified tool, where source datasets will not be accessible. This dual-format approach ensures accessibility for users while addressing industry concerns over proprietary data. The tool will also be tested on early space activities (e.g. technology developments and R&Ds) and space mission case studies to enhance its practical value. By integrating environmental datasets with costing information, the tool will be a novel approach to cost and sustainability assessment in early phases, strengthening trade-offs and methodologies. It is hoped that this will help to shift the narrative from sustainability as a cost burden to a value driver, fostering broader adoption of LCA in the space industry while supporting mission design optimisation.
