The long-term sustainability of Space activities is a main topic of discussion at the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).
The 60th meeting of UNCOPUOS’ Scientific and Technical Subcommittee in Vienna earlier this week showed that debates are long and that significant efforts are needed to come to a consensus.
International Space University speaker – Master of Space Studies MSS22 year B student, Stephania Turyk – presented, on Monday 13th February 2023, and online, a recent Team Project (TP) report as a tangible example of successful international dialogue. It was her great pleasure to represent the TP team (called STELA) and the work done!
MSS22 TP “Starship: Impact on the Satcom industry” can be summarized as follows:
“The premise of the team project was to assess the capabilities of SpaceX’s proposed new rocket, Starship, and its impact on the Satellite Telecommunications Industry on four different pillars. This includes increased mass by ten times, increased payload by four times, increased launch cadence by four times, and reduce launch cost by 10% compared to the market standards. Starship was proposed as a fully reusable launch vehicle and promised to deliver on these four pillars. At the time of writing this report, Starship was in its developmental stage. The concept of a fully reusable and even partially reusable launch vehicle, that can deliver larger, heavier payloads into orbit at an increased cadence at a reduced cost implies significant changes in the telecommunications industry. While the report focused on a variety of different areas and impacts such as LEO orbit, satellite constellations, policy and law implications, environmental considerations, this presentation will focus on our findings of GEO stationary orbit and how reusable launchers such as Starship will change the telecommunications industry regarding GEO orbits.”
Both the executive summary and the full report are available on the website of the ISU library.
ISU president Dr. Pascale Ehrenfreund also delivered a statement in the name of ISU about the University’s contributions to the goals of the UN, and the role of ISU in preparing the new generations for Space Sustainability. Dr. Ehrenfreund reiterated that the vibrant space sector needs a stellar workforce that supports international cooperation and responsible behavior in planning and executing space ventures.
