Due to the harsh nature of outer space, stringent requirements and performances are required from space systems. Thanks to evolving environmental awareness and the building up of a knowledge base at ESA, we are becoming more wary of the environmental impact of space activities on Earth. Through the GreenSat project, ESA wants to evolve from the assessment to reduction of environmental impact through redesigning an existing satellite mission. The project allows ESA to check the feasibility of implementing ecodesign in the development of space missions.

Increasing numbers of regulations in Europe (e.g. RoHS, REACH) are implemented targeting sustainable development, environmental impact and protection of human health leading directly to obsolescence of qualified materials, processes and technologies, as manufacturers are forced to change materials compositions, alter manufacturing processes or take the decision to remove materials from the European market. The REACH roadmap for identification of future substances of very high concern (SVHC) indicates to target a wider range of isocyanates.

Curing of polymers resins for CFRP composites is for the vast majority of cases stimulated through temperature, whereas the curing temperature is a trade-off between required pot-life, thermal properties, hardware compatibility, and mechanical performance. For example, a high curing temperature leads to very good thermal properties and allows long pot-life, but causes increased internal stress and distortion. Ideally the adhesive is processed as well as cured near room temperature (practically < 100?C), typically followed by a short post-cure.

Cold Spray (CS) is a revolutionary technology which can allow for the manufacturing of coatings onto engineering components in a simple and environmentally friendly manner. With the right level of automation and robotic stage design, there is the possibility that this novel technique could also produce 3D additively-manufactured components with low fly-to- buy ratios.

Stainless steels are major manufacturing materials used in spacecraft and ground support structures on applications requiring corrosion resistance including storage and handling of liquids and waste, propulsions systems, components within thermal protection systems and fasteners such as high-reliability and high strength bolts. Passivation of stainless steel has two purposes: 1) it is necessary to remove ?free iron?

Stainless steels are major manufacturing materials used in spacecraft and ground support structures on applications requiring corrosion resistance including storage and handling of liquids and waste, propulsions systems, components within thermal protection systems and fasteners such as high-reliability and high strength bolts. Passivation of stainless steel has two purposes: 1) it is necessary to remove ?free iron?

In 2011, Europe?s Registration Evaluation Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) added hydrazine to their candidate list of substances of very high concern. With this step, there is an associated risk that REACH will make hydrazine obsolescent (restrict or prohibit its use) in the near to mid term. While ESA is pursuing possible exemptions for hydrazine for space applications, additional risk mitigation is necessary.

For the REACH assessment, the proposed method relies on both ESA’s existing Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework and the Materials & Processes Technology Board (MPTB) database. Then, the method was structured through three steps:

• Firstly, a commonality was found between the LCA and MPTB databases: ECSS classes, which help define small groups of materials defined as 'clusters', are used to 'bridge the gap' in terms of level of precision between the LCA model of a space system and the MPTB database;