Closing the loop beyond Earth. We are mapping the path to reusable spacecraft, circular material flows, and a space sector that leaves nothing behind.
The Circular Space Economy is a systems-level framework for designing, operating, and retiring space hardware so that materials, components, and energy stay in productive use — rather than ending up as debris, landfill, or sunk cost.
Spacecraft and satellites engineered from the outset for multiple missions — with standardised interfaces, repairable architectures, and refuelable propulsion.
Decommissioned satellites contain valuable metals and processed materials. New servicing and retrieval technologies unlock these stranded assets.
Tracking critical raw materials — rare earths, platinum-group metals, advanced composites — across the full space lifecycle and designing closed loops.
Circularity must compete commercially. We build the quantitative models and policy frameworks that make the business case real, not aspirational.
Circularity in space is a young field and its vocabulary is still settling. This lexicon collects the terms you'll encounter most often across the research cited on this page — use the search box to filter.
A systems-level model that applies circular economy principles — narrowing, slowing, and closing resource loops — to the design, operation, and end-of-life of space hardware and missions, rather than the linear "take–make–waste" default.
An engineering methodology that builds reusability, serviceability, and circularity requirements into a spacecraft from the earliest design phase, rather than retrofitting them later.
The capacity of a spacecraft or satellite to be recovered, refurbished, refuelled, or repurposed for one or more additional missions instead of being disposed of after a single use.
Operations performed on satellites already in orbit — refuelling, repair, inspection, or component replacement — that extend mission life and reduce premature disposal.
Missions designed to capture and safely deorbit derelict satellites or large debris objects, reducing collision risk in increasingly congested orbits.
The combined set of technologies that let spacecraft be serviced, assembled, or manufactured on-orbit rather than solely on Earth — a foundation for circular material flows in space.
A design approach that ensures a spacecraft fully vaporises during uncontrolled atmospheric re-entry, minimising the risk of surviving debris reaching the ground.
An expansion of the classic reduce–reuse–recycle model into nine circularity strategies — including refuse, rethink, repair, refurbish, remanufacture, repurpose, and recover — increasingly applied to space hardware.
A space-specific circularity framework proposed in 2026 academic literature that organises resource-loop strategies across three environments: circularity in space, circularity of the terrestrial space sector, and circularity of celestial bodies beyond Earth.
Rare earths, platinum-group metals, aluminium, titanium and advanced composites tracked across a spacecraft's full lifecycle so they can be recovered and reused rather than launched once and abandoned.
A theorised cascade in which collisions between orbiting objects generate debris that triggers further collisions — potentially rendering an entire orbital band unusable.
ESA's commitment to design and operate missions so that no new debris is generated in Earth or lunar orbit by 2030 — a policy driver for circular design thinking.
The ability to track, characterise, and predict the position of objects in orbit — the data layer underpinning collision avoidance, servicing, and debris-removal missions.
Producing structures, spare parts, or propellant in orbit or on a lunar surface — including from recycled debris or regolith — to reduce dependence on Earth-launched materials.
The default lifecycle for most space hardware today: extract materials, manufacture a single-use spacecraft, then abandon it as debris or graveyard-orbit it at end of life. The circular space economy exists to replace this model.
The space sector is at an inflection point. The next five years will see more satellites launched than in the previous six decades combined. The infrastructure decisions made now — on materials, on architecture, on end-of-life — will lock in the space economy's environmental and economic footprint for a generation.
We are at the moment when circular thinking can still be designed in, not retrofitted. That is why this initiative exists, and why the time to engage is now.
A running list of the papers, theses, and policy briefs that shape the circular space economy conversation. We'll keep adding to this as the field publishes — check back for updates.
The first structured definition of the circular space economy, introducing the 10R Space Framework and distinguishing circularity in space, of the terrestrial space sector, and of celestial bodies beyond Earth.
Read the paper →The Design for Spacecraft Reuse thesis behind this initiative: a systems-level examination of how satellite reuse can anchor a circular space economy, and what stands in the way of it becoming standard practice.
Read the thesis →Based on expert interviews, this paper argues that design — specifically design for X, for circularity, and for reusability — is the key enabler of spacecraft reuse.
Read the paper →Reviews smart-maintenance techniques from manufacturing, aviation and electric vehicles — data analytics, machine learning, sensor integration — and maps them onto satellite operations to extend mission life and cut downtime.
Read the paper (PDF) →Proposes a "Circular System" framework integrating circular production, manufacturing and business-model literature into one multi-level model — a lens equally applicable to circularity in space.
Read the paper →Applies the 9R framework to orbital debris and makes the economic case: NASA cost–benefit modelling suggests recycling 50 large debris objects can already be cost-effective.
Read the policy brief (PDF) →The first robust method for estimating the value and mass of orbital debris — putting the recoverable materials in Earth orbit at an estimated $570 billion to $1.2 trillion.
Read the study →Announcement of the CE4SPACE Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network, training 15 PhD researchers across debris recycling, eco-design, ADR, and space-sector business models and law.
Read the announcement →The Circular Space Economy initiative is a joint project between two organisations committed to making sustainability in space actionable, not just theoretical.
A virtual research lab dedicated to reuse and circularity in space. Founded in 2026 with Luleå University of Technology as its anchor institution, the lab conducts interdisciplinary research spanning spacecraft reusability, in-space manufacturing, orbital debris, and the economics of circular material flows. Located across Sweden, Germany, and the USA.
creaternity.space →Astromerge is a research-driven development and advisory firm based in Columbus, Ohio, working toward a sustainable earth-lunar economy. Circular economy in space is one of its five core research areas, alongside sustainable-by-default design and supply chain resilience — bringing commercial market intelligence and industry network access to translate research into real-world impact.
astromerge.com →We're inviting researchers, organisations, industry, and policymakers to help build the circular space economy — as a contributor, partner, or collaborator.
The Circular Space Economy is built through collaboration. Whether you are an academic researcher, a space industry professional, or simply someone who cares about the future — your engagement matters.
Whatever you bring — research, industry challenges, or simply curiosity — there's a way to contribute. Tell us about yourself and we'll follow up personally within five business days.