ASSESSING THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF EUROPEAN LAUNCHERS

This paper addresses the evolving international context, in terms of environmental protection, and how European Space Agency is reacting to this new reality. ESA activities on this domain are discussed with special focus on the assessment of the environmental aspects of European launchers carried out by the Agency. Technical reflexions on this assessment are presented, characterizing the approach and methodologies applied in this activity. Finally the paper will provide considerations on the way ahead to enhance the environmental impact assessment methods for space applications and how their outcome can represent an opportunity for the space industry to prepare the future challenges.