Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Aerospace Centre of Excellence, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.
School of Engineering & Built Environment, Built Environment Asset Management (BEAM) Centre, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK.
Integr Environ Assess Manag. 2023 Jul;19(4):1002-1022. doi: 10.1002/ieam.4722. Epub 2023 Jan 18.
Within the space sector, the application of Environmental Life Cycle Assessment (E-LCA) is beginning to emerge as a credible and compelling method for scientifically quantifying environmental impacts of space missions. However, E-LCA does not fully align with the concept of triple-bottom-line sustainability, while the combination of all three sustainability dimensions (environment, society, and economy) within a single life cycle study has thus far never been attempted within the space industry. Moving toward a Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) is, therefore, a logical next step for the space sector to allow these three sustainability dimensions to be addressed. Consequently, this article presents the underlying principles of a new LCSA framework for space missions and demonstrates its applicability for improving system-level design concepts based on the interaction between sustainability dimensions. The framework was formed based on a systematic literature review to analyze the background, issues, and knowledge gaps related to life cycle methodologies, as well as context-specific sustainability aspects. The framework has been implemented within a life cycle database called the Strathclyde Space Systems Database (SSSD). Using the SSSD, the framework was tested on a mission concept called Moon Ice Observation Satellite to demonstrate how changes in the design for a circular economy and other sustainability-based principles will affect the functionality of the mission at the system level. It is envisaged that this framework will enable engineers to create sustainable space systems, technologies, and products that are not only cost-efficient, eco-efficient, and socially responsible, but also ones that can easily justify and evidence their sustainability. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:1002-1022. © 2022 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
在航天领域，环境生命周期评估（E-LCA）的应用开始崭露头角，成为一种科学量化航天任务环境影响的可信且有说服力的方法。然而，E-LCA 与三重底线可持续性概念不完全一致，而在单一生命周期研究中结合所有三个可持续性维度（环境、社会和经济），在航天工业中迄今为止从未尝试过。因此，对于航天部门来说，向生命周期可持续性评估（LCSA）迈进是合乎逻辑的下一步，以便能够解决这三个可持续性维度。因此，本文提出了一个新的航天任务 LCSA 框架的基本原则，并展示了其基于可持续性维度相互作用来改进系统级设计概念的适用性。该框架是基于系统文献综述形成的，旨在分析与生命周期方法相关的背景、问题和知识差距，以及特定于上下文的可持续性方面。该框架已在一个名为斯特拉斯克莱德航天系统数据库（SSSD）的生命周期数据库中实施。使用 SSSD，该框架在一个名为月球冰观测卫星的任务概念上进行了测试，以展示在设计中如何改变循环经济和其他基于可持续性的原则，这将如何影响系统级任务的功能。预计该框架将使工程师能够创建不仅具有成本效益、生态效益和社会责任，而且能够轻松证明和证明其可持续性的可持续航天系统、技术和产品。《综合环境评估与管理》2023 年；19：1002-1022。© 2022 作者。综合环境评估与管理由 Wiley 期刊 LLC 代表环境毒理化学学会（SETAC）出版。
