Abstract
Given the growing interest in the space industry, it is crucial to achieve sustainable development, combining the social, environmental, economic and all stakeholders. International entities of the sector, such as ESA through its guidelines for a Life Cycle Assessment adapted to space, initiated this dynamic. After a review of the research carried out on the Life Cycle Thinking, we sought to explain why and how to apply this tool to the space sector. It appears that adapted to an industrial context, the Life Cycle Management can only bring added value, in addition to benefiting all stakeholders. We even go so far as to identify this approach as indispensable for the space sector. Indeed, by the example of SpaceX reusable launchers, we show that isolated sustainable initiatives can be harmful. The application of Life Cycle Management in the space industry could be done easily, practical methods of sustainable development being intuitive. But managing change in the industry as a whole and in business is less obvious. For the approach to succeed, all stakeholders must participate, and the adoption of new sustainable business models can be considered and optimized through the growing number of startups in the sector.
