Project ID: S77
Theme: Safety and Sustainability
There is a gap in the addressing the safety and sustainability of the space environment. Concerns regarding the earth’s biosphere are evident in discussions on climate change and sustainable development, yet only more recently has consideration been given to the impact of humans on the space environment. This is an area that has seen exploitation by the few who have been able to access it, among them developed states and tech corporations. Without due consideration of the sustainability of this environment, there has been an accumulation of space debris as much of the current debris is not brought back to Earth but abandoned in orbit. This is not only polluting this environment with redundant technology and toxic waste, but adding to the increased likelihood of more collisions, which in turn means more debris.
Records of space debris objects are not complete due to the difficulty in identification, although the latest European Space Agency numbers (from September 2025) indicate there are 1.2 million pieces between 1-10cm, and 140 million pieces between 1mm and 1cm. This is a threat not only to existing satellites, but poses a wider threat to the space environment through residual fuel tanks, nuclear and military waste. There is existing research on the development of technology for active debris removal (ADR), including laser technology, nets, harpoons or robotic arms, but there is little link made to the transparency in the use of the space environment, responsibility for managing the existing pollution, and what this means for the governance of space as a global common. The pollution of the space environment is unsustainable. Accumulating debris also poses a concern for access to space for developing countries looking to expand their space programmes.
This PhD project is challenge led in addressing the problems of space debris as a looming global crisis. The project is interdisciplinary nature, including a focus on determining the technical challenges of managing space debris and building an understanding of the current scientific and technological developments in this field. This is linked to considerations of geopolitics and negotiations shaping the governance of the space environment. Discussions on the sustainable governance of this resource is paramount if it is to be preserved for the benefit of all.
Aligning with NTU's strategic research theme of Safety and Sustainability, and the subtheme of safe, secure, and resilient space, the project highlights the exploitation of space and the dangerous accumulation of debris that is polluting the space environment. The technical analysis of debris, and its removal, is an important foundation for negotiating the transparent and sustainable use of outer space. There also aligns to with the subtheme of creating value through circular economies in addressing the waste and sustainable production of materials that will be the future of space technology.
The PhD studentship will contribute to the Centre for Policy, Citizenship and Society (CPCS) and Imaging, Materials and Engineering Centre, addressing the interplay between the fields of science and technology and international relations. In bringing these fields together, the research is progressive in demonstrating the significance of technology and diplomacy in managing the future sustainability in space governance.
Key deliverables include a co-authored research paper with the supervisors for submission to a high impact journal such as Review of International Studies (Q1, H-index 92), Nature (H-index 1442), Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics (H-index 204), and Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (H-index 391).
The researcher will also work to produce a single authored journal article in developing their own research profile. This will be presented at a subject conference, such as the annual British International Studies Association conference or the UK National Astronomy Meeting. The researcher will be expected to build knowledge and expertise in both academic fields, with CPD being provided in house from the supervisory team. This includes working with social sciences research and writing resources along with the co-supervisor’s expertise in international geo-politics. In addition, training courses designed to introduce elementary space science principles to non-STEM doctoral students will be developed with the help of the student and then be reused to provide sustainable CPD opportunities for postgraduates.
Given the focus on the inequitable development of the global space regime, this project supports working towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) & 17 (Partnership for the goals). At its core the research has an emphasis on enriching society, working towards addressing the governance of space as a significant global challenge of our time.
It is envisioned that this research project will contribute towards the development of a grant proposal to the BA Interdisciplinary Grant Award (£300K) being developed by the co-supervisors for submission in September 2026.
Supervisory Team