The Environmental Narrative for the UK Launch Industry

As the pressure around the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) illustrated, climate change is the greatest global challenge we face today and requires action from all countries and sectors.

Access to space is essential for improving our understanding of climate change. Satellites are indispensable for collecting data and measurements of the Earth’s temperature, greenhouse gas emissions, atmospheric gasses, sea levels, ice cover, deforestation, and other properties. The accuracy of this data gives the scientific community valuable information to help analyze and predict the impact of climate change to enable effective strategies and informed decisions to reduce and mitigate adverse changes.

The U.K. government’s ambitions for the small satellite launch industry, and the development of the wider space economy, includes adherence to environmental and sustainability best practices at international and local community levels. Improving our understanding of the capacity of space technologies to help address climate change is a core part of the recently published National Space Strategy, with an objective of “fighting climate change with space technology” in its 10-point plan.

The Regulatory Environment for Launch

Through the UK Spaceflight Programme, the U.K. government has created a regulatory environment requiring future U.K.-licensed launch and spaceport operators to demonstrate an understanding of the environment in which they will operate and environmental risks.

The successful delivery of the U.K.’s international obligations, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) are dependent on commercial spaceflight being regulated and managed appropriately. The U.K. government and industry are working in partnership to harness environmental sustainability through regulation, policy, sustainable technology investment and operational practices. Such policies and practices are linked to raising investment through environmental, social and governance (ESG) perspectives.

The Space Industry Act 2018 establishes the legal framework for regulation by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of spaceflight activities in the U.K. It contains a requirement for potential launch operator or spaceport licensees to produce an assessment of environmental effects (AEE) of proposed activities. The regulator will not grant a spaceport or launch operator license unless an AEE has been submitted and considered; in addition to compliance with existing environmental and planning legislation.

The CAA’s environmental objectives, seek to facilitate the U.K.’s sustainable development and environmental goals and capture the local and global impacts of spaceflight activities reflecting the UNSDGs and national planning policies – notably, the government’s Net Zero strategy and the “Build Back Better: our plan for growth” policy. These form part of the ambitious environmental governance framework to ensure the U.K. delivers its environmental and UNSDG commitments.

Environmental Commitments of Spaceport and Launch Operators

U.K. spaceport and launch operators are encouraged through the licensing framework to support the U.K.’s environmental commitments.

Spaceport Cornwall’s principal sponsor, Cornwall Council, has committed to making Cornwall’s economy net-zero by 2030. Cornwall will release its Sustainability Impact Report, action plan and ethical framework in January 2022, committing to transparency and engagement with the local community. It works closely with launch partner Virgin Orbit and the University of Exeter to mitigate, offset and lower the environmental impact of launch, investing in R&D in areas such as biofuels. Its education outreach program engages with local school children on the valuable role of space technology.

Subject to business case approval, the design and construction of horizontal-launch site development, Prestwick Spaceport in Ayrshire, targets net-zero operational emissions. Prestwick Spaceport, granted an environmental screening option and currently submitting its planning application, is committed to working with launch service partner Astraius to achieve these objectives, following the Scottish government’s climate change plan.

The spaceport intends to apply best practice carbon management techniques, notably PAS 2080: Carbon Management in Infrastructure. Its payload processing and launch vehicle integration facilities will apply RICS whole life carbon assessment for the built environment. These efforts, coordinated with the Prestwick Ayrshire Growth deal, contribute to the low carbon growth of its Space and Aerospace Campus.

SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland aims to achieve “environmental, social and space sustainability with an end-to-end approach to operations, launch and management of the spaceport and space-related activities.” SaxaVord has partnered with local Shetland business Pure Energy, a global supplier of renewable energy, to leverage local tidal and wind energy for ground station and data center operations. SaxaVord plans to establish a research and development center with aims including promoting space environmental awareness and educating both local and global communities.

Spaceport1 in the Outer Hebrides is a potential suborbital launch site, enabling environmental science and launch vehicle test missions. These launches contribute to measuring and understanding the atmosphere in the gap between aircraft/balloon heights and Low-Earth Orbit. Suborbital launches offer launch vehicle manufacturers the ability to develop vehicles and propellants/mixes incrementally, maximizing the efficiency of rocket motors while measuring and refining emissions.

Discover Space UK is seeking to create a test-bed for future green aerospace infrastructure and operations. Machrihanish airbase, on the Kintyre peninsula, has an abundant supply of wind for generating green electricity. Projects are underway to develop on-site green hydrogen generation facilities powered by offshore wind to supply the local community and businesses.

'Environmentally Friendly' Propellants

Across the U.K. launch community, companies are developing innovative propellants to ensure spaceflight activities minimize environmental impact.

Orbex seeks to launch “the world’s most environmentally friendly space rocket.” A study by the University of Exeter claims that one Orbex Prime launch would produce up to 86 percent fewer emissions than a similar-sized vertical launch vehicle powered by fossil fuels. This advantage is due to a similar-sized fossil-fueled vehicle emitting high levels of black carbon, particulate matter formed by the incomplete combustion of fuels containing carbon; a major contributor to climate change. A key factor in the environmental credentials of Prime is its choice of fuel; BioLPG is produced from propane as a waste by-product from renewable diesel production.

Scottish-based rocket design and manufacturing company, Skyrora, is developing Ecosene, an innovative, high-grade fuel made from non-recyclable waste plastics. Skyrora claims that Ecosene, utilized with High Test Peroxide, produces 45 percent less CO2 emissions compared with traditional liquid propellent solutions; minimizing the environmental impact of launch. Most waste plastics can be used to produce Ecosene; the highest yield being polystyrene. Currently only 7 percent of U.K.’s polystyrene waste is recycled. Skyrora believes that it can produce 600 kilograms of usable fuel from 1000 kilograms of waste polymers within 24 hours and will recycle up to 254 metric tons of waste plastics annually.

Wales’ ambition is to be a “Sustainable Space Nation.” Space Wales Development Manager, Alan Davies, commented, “We’ve got some great businesses already advancing solutions with a positive environmental theme. Smallspark Systems are developing small satellites powered by non-toxic, high-performance propellants. Space Forge will launch its first satellite for in-space manufacturing missions in 2022 and the B2Space, balloon launch system, is focused on small and micro-satellite launch.”

Access to space and space technology will continue to play an increasing role in improving our understanding of climate change and effective ways to tackle it. Through delivery of U.K. environmental and UNSDG commitments and pioneering work of the U.K. launch community, the U.K. will ensure that the impact of spaceflight activities on the environment is minimized; helping to protect our planet for future generations and driving prosperity through the economic opportunities of becoming a greener space fairing economy. VS