Reduce, reuse, recycle: Scientists chart path to a self-sustaining space economy

Space launches are surging toward 300 orbital missions in 2025, releasing massive greenhouse gases and creating unsustainable waste as satellites typically end up in graveyard orbits or burn up in Earth's atmosphere. Scientists propose a circular space economy using recycling principles, where satellites become more durable and repairable, space stations serve as repair hubs, and orbital debris gets recaptured for reuse.