Funding: University of Zurich, Leading House Asia-Pacific
Partner: University of Auckland
Duration: July 2026 to June 2028
Lead researcher: Emmanuelle David, EPFL Space Center & Pryiankha Dopade,
Project-lead Swiss home institution: EPFL Lausanne, EPFL Space Center
Established researchers: Professor Jean-Paul Kneib -Academic Director of EPFL Space Center
Emmanuelle David (at least 3 years of research experience) -Executive Director of eSpace
Co-Lead 1: Dr Priyanka Dhopade, Senior Lecturer, University of Auckland, Sustainable Space Initiative (transdisciplinary research initiative with policy pillar)
Dr Sarah Hendrica Bickerton, Lecturer, University of Auckland (Sustainable Space Initiative & Director, Master of Public Policy Programme)
Dr Stefan Korber, Senior Lecturer, University of Auckland (Sustainable Space Initiative & Business School)
Co-funding from Project Co-Lead: University of Auckland.
Project summary:
Space activities, particularly in the private sector, are accelerating worldwide, creating new opportunities for innovation, economic growth, and scientific discovery. At the same time, the environmental, governance, and regulatory challenges associated with space operations are becoming more urgent and complex. Both Switzerland and New Zealand are emerging as leaders in shaping responsible approaches to space development, making them natural partners for advancing science‑informed space policy.
Switzerland plays a distinctive role in the European space ecosystem. As a founding member of the European Space Agency (ESA), it contributes to major European missions and leads internationally recognised initiatives on space sustainability. EPFL’s eSpace research group is home to the Space Sustainability Rating (SSR), a pioneering tool developed with the World Economic Forum and ESA to incentivise responsible behaviour in orbit. Switzerland’s broader space sector, characterised by high‑precision engineering, strong research institutions, and a commitment to multilateral governance, provides a robust foundation for advancing global sustainability standards and translating scientific tools into policy-relevant instruments.
New Zealand, meanwhile, has rapidly become one of the world’s most dynamic emerging spacefaring nations. With a growing commercial launch industry, a strong environmental ethos, and an agile regulatory system, New Zealand is well positioned to integrate sustainability principles early in its national space strategy. The University of Auckland’s Sustainable Space Initiative and Public Policy Programme have already contributed to national policy discussions, including ministerial briefings on environmental impacts of space activity and engagement with regulators and industry on sustainability requirements.
This project brings these strengths together to translate cutting‑edge scientific research into actionable policy guidance through structured engagement with policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders in both countries. By adapting insights from the SSR, life‑cycle assessments, and emerging evidence on atmospheric impacts from spacecraft re‑entry, the project will develop a policy framework tailored to New Zealand’s needs and regulatory context. A research stay at EPFL, participation in the Space Sustainability Course, and engagement with the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) will deepen collaboration and support early‑career researcher development.
The outcome will be a policy briefing aimed at government agencies, a scalable model for integrating sustainability metrics into national space governance, and a roadmap for future joint research, supporting responsible growth in New Zealand and offering a template for other emerging spacefaring nations.