Spaceship Earth. Space-driven technologies and systems for sustainability on ground. (October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Castiglioni, Alberto Giovanni; Bigdeli, Masoud Bozorg; Palamini, Cristina; Martinoia, Diego; Frezza, Ludovica; Matassini, Beatrice; Pizzocri, Davide; Massari, Mauro
• Is Part Of: Acta astronautica. Volume 115(2015)
• Page Start: 195
• Page End: 205
• Publication Date: 2015-10
• Subjects: Sustainability -- Innovation -- Green space -- Decision making -- Design methods -- Multidisciplinary design; AHP Analytical Hierarchy Process -- EAC European Astronaut Center -- ESA European Space Agency -- FC Fuel cells -- GHG Greenhouse gas -- ICE Internal Combustion Engines -- IPV Innovative Photovoltaic -- LCA Life Cycle Assessment -- MCFC Molten carbonate fuel cell -- MGT Micro Gas Turbine -- MRC Microbial fuel cell -- NMV No-Mix vacuum toilet -- O&M Operations and Maintenance -- PAFC Phosphoric acid fuel cell -- PEMFC Proton exchange membrane fuel cell -- PV Photovoltaic -- R&D Research and Development -- SOFC Solid oxide fuel cell -- SPV Standard Photovoltaic -- TRL Technology Readiness Level; Astronautics -- Periodicals; Outer space -- Exploration -- Periodicals; Astronautics; Periodicals; 629.405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2015.05.029
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-5765

Abstract

Abstract: As awareness towards the problem is growing, eco-friendliness is today a paramount requirement for all space activities and in particular for the ground segment, fully comparable to other industrial sectors. The present work focuses on the assessment and the sustainable development enhancement of a ground-based space facility, the European Astronaut Centre (EAC), located in Germany. The project is framed within the European Space Agency development of an environmental outlook, which aims not only at the full compliance with the legislation and at assessing the impact of its activities, but also at laying the foundation for future evolution through innovation. Indeed, ESA promotes the sustainable use of space as a necessity and duty for Europe. As history teaches us, technical knowledge emerged within the space sector serves as innovation driver in other industrial branches: the goal of the project is to transform the EAC building into a spaceship integrated with the territory through the conscious management of this spontaneous process, fostering the combination between the space sector and the architecture and civil engineering fields. The work explores the potential of space technologies, processes and systems applied on ground and presents a range of space-driven innovative concepts which may improve the sustainability of the EAC building, focusing on different aspects of its resource demand – energy, water and waste management – and defining the integration with the pre-existing compound, the limitation of the impact on the surrounding landscape and the participation of the local community as additional fundamental requirements. Indeed, the project embraces the full concept of sustainability, which considers not only eco-friendliness but also its balance with economic and social aspects. Two factors – a certain urgency for action, which leaves little space for research and experimentation, and a call for ground-breaking solutions – guided the design activity: taking advantage of these conflicting requirements, a comparison between standard technologies and innovative space-related concepts was performed. When dealing with complex and uncertain scenarios, decision among the possible solutions is not straightforward and needs to be supported by appropriate methodologies: a multi-criteria and quantitative decision-making tool, able to concentrate on the main goal while considering all other relevant aspects – environmental, economic, social sustainability – was therefore developed. Furthermore, the project promotes local community participation in the decisional process, as a way to enhance knowledge, generate understanding and promote towards the EAC redesign, space activities and their potential innovative impact on sustainability. Abstract : Highlights: We examinate a meaningful building for the space sector to assess sustainability. We propose common technologies to improve the case-study sustainability. We propose innovative solutions derived and adapted from the space sector. A quantitative decision making tool permits us to rank the best solutions.