Scientists unveil plan to mine, reuse, and recycle everything in orbit

A team of scientists has proposed applying recycling and sustainability principles to the entire lifecycle of satellites and spacecraft to address the growing environmental impact of space launches. With an estimated 300 orbital launches expected in 2025, rocket launches release significant greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting chemicals. The researchers highlight that valuable materials from satellites are rarely reused, as most are either moved to “graveyard orbits,” become space debris, or burn up upon reentry. They argue that the space industry must adopt a circular economy approach—similar to practices in automotive and electronics sectors—to ensure long-term sustainability amid increasing private space activity. The scientists advocate for innovations such as enhancing satellite durability and repairability, repurposing space stations as refueling and repair hubs, and manufacturing components in orbit to reduce launch frequency. They also suggest soft-landing technologies and robotic debris capture to enable reuse of spacecraft parts. Emphasizing the need for international collaboration and policy frameworks, the researchers call for integrating chemistry, design, and governance to