Earth-Space Sustainability Dynamics
Summary of my scientific paper (preprint) proposing the first integrated assessment model for the sustainability of space activties: COSMOS.
I have published the preprint (currently not peer-reviewed ⚠️) of my latest article on space sustainability.
Climate intervention, ozone depletion, interference with astronomy, space debris, casualty risk… Despite growing attention, these issues are still largely addressed in silos across research, engineering, and policy.
In this article, I set out to fill this critical gap by offering an integrated approach, leading to 3 foundational contributions:
🗺️ A documented mapping of interactions between sustainability issues
🔁 A system dynamics model, COSMOS, built to simulate interconnections and feedbacks in this complex system
📊 An evaluation of the effects of mitigation strategies proposed in key space policy documents, simulated with COSMOS
Results reveal strong interdependence and unexpected trade-offs, with most strategies causing unintended adverse effects.
This challenges the feasibility of achieving all sustainability goals simultaneously, and highlights the need to combine mitigation with sufficiency. The study underscores the need for systems thinking and more interdisciplinary collaboration.
I conducted this work independently and hope others will build on this new line of research with the support it deserves.