Considerations for Eco-LeanSat Satellite Manufacturing and Recycling

Jeimmy Nataly Buitrago-Leiva (), Adriano Camps and Alvaro Moncada Niño
Additional contact information
Jeimmy Nataly Buitrago-Leiva: CommSensLab-UPC, Department of Signal Theory and Communications, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
Adriano Camps: CommSensLab-UPC, Department of Signal Theory and Communications, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
Alvaro Moncada Niño: School of Business, Colegio de Estudios Superiores de Administración—CESA, Bogotá 110311, Colombia

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 12, 1-40

Abstract: This research aims to contribute to the development of the Eco-LeanSat concept by focusing on a sustainable approach to satellite manufacturing and the repurposing of remaining satellite capabilities after failure. Despite satellites no longer being suitable for their original purposes, these remaining capabilities can find new applications. The study begins by identifying relevant innovative eco-design applications. Subsequently, it examines sustainability within the satellite lifecycle supply chain, categorizing it into four methods: (1) active debris removal, (2) transport logistics, (3) mission extension, and (4) repair and construction. Aligned with emerging trends in space activities, the study also considers future developments to maximize satellites’ potential to provide new services. Additionally, the research includes a description of a potential lean manufacturing process that encompasses logistic chains to support the development of a more sustainable space economy. Finally, the study concludes with a technological survey tracing the evolution of the development of the SmallSat and CubeSat platforms that identifies relevant innovative designs for a sustainable space environment.

Keywords: Eco-LeanSat; sustainable space environment; satellite lifecycle supply chain (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/12/4933/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/12/4933/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:12:p:4933-:d:1411474

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().