PhD Studentship: Sustainable Space Futures: Holistic Lifecycle Modelling for Environmentally Responsible Space Missions

The University of Manchester - Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Deadline: All year round

How to apply: https://uom.link/pgr-apply

UK only

This 3.5-year PhD studentship is open to Home (UK) applicants. The successful candidate will receive an annual tax-free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26; subject to annual uplift), and tuition fees will be paid. We expect the stipend to increase each year. The start date is negotiable.

The rapid growth of space activities, ranging from mega-constellations to in-orbit servicing, has amplified concerns about their environmental (orbital and terrestrial) and socio-technical consequences. While initiatives such as Active Debris Removal (ADR) and In-Space Resource Utilization (ISRU) aim to enhance long-term sustainability, a critical gap remains: determining whether future space missions could unintentionally exacerbate existing challenges. Current mission assessments remain fragmented, often focusing on individual aspects such as debris mitigation or launch emissions, without integrating the full life-cycle impact of mission design, manufacturing, operations, and disposal.

This PhD project aims to advance sustainable space operations by developing a holistic lifecycle assessment framework and computational tool that captures environmental, social, and technical impacts across all mission phases—design, manufacturing, launch, operations, disposal, debris remediation, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria. Using systems engineering, digital engineering, and lifecycle modelling, the research will reveal interdependencies and trade-offs to support responsible decision-making in mission design and policy. The long-term vision is to embed sustainability at the heart of space mission planning through a comprehensive framework that informs engineering practice, regulatory action, and strategic planning.

Research Objectives

• Review sustainability challenges throughout the complete mission lifecycle, from spacecraft design to end-of-life.
• Develop a structured taxonomy and conceptual framework tailored to lifecycle sustainability in space missions.
• Extend preliminary qualitative/quantitative models [1] to incorporate additional holistic dimensions (that capture interlinked environmental, social, and technical impacts) in each impact area - from design to end-of-life.
• Define key figures of merit for each impact category and map their interconnections with other relevant categories.
• Develop and validate a modular sustainability assessment framework and computational tool using Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and lifecycle modelling techniques.
• Apply and test the framework through case studies (e.g., ADR, ISRU, In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing) in collaboration with industrial partners.
• Generate policy-relevant insights and strategic sustainability roadmaps for industry, regulators, and academia.

Impact

• Supports the UK’s leadership in sustainable space practices and contributes to initiatives such as the National Space Strategy, Earth Space Sustainability Initiative (ESSI), and UN-COPUOS guidelines.
• Delivers a holistic lifecycle methodology to quantify and evaluate the sustainability of emerging space missions, enabling informed trade-offs between technological innovation, environmental impact, and social responsibility.
• Delivers a validated, open-access framework and toolset to guide sustainable mission design, regulation, and long-term orbital resilience.

Candidates must hold a minimum of an upper Second Class (2:1) UK Honours degree or international equivalent in a relevant science or engineering discipline.

Experience with computational modelling, systems engineering, and lifecycle assessment is highly desirable, alongside knowledge of MATLAB/Simulink/Python or similar tools. Familiarity with sustainability frameworks (e.g., ESG, Mission Life-cycle Assessment) and interest in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of engineering, environment, and policy will be advantageous.

To apply, please contact the supervisors; Dr Manu Nair - manu.nair@manchester.ac.uk and Dr Ciara McGrath - ciara.macgrath@manchester.ac.uk. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.