Awareness and Action: An Exploration Between Public Perception and Space Industry Priorities Regarding Sustainability

Grace Ban

As issues regarding sustainability continue to grow more urgent and prevalent to everyday life, it is important to recognize whether society fully understands what is occurring. The low earth orbit is at threat of overcongestion, and the environment is experiencing higher rates of pollution due to rocket launches, calling for the need for the government and public to engage in this issue. Additionally, the efficiency of current frameworks can be analyzed through the results from this research. In order to identify existing gaps, a mixed methods approach was used, with a survey provided to the general public and interviews conducted with space industry professionals. The findings from this study revealed that a communication gap does indeed exist, with information platforms and delivery of issues showing strong correlation. This carves a path for policymakers to bridge the gap by addressing current frameworks and suggesting new ones that are more efficient. This can help preserve both the terrestrial and orbital environment, ensuring safety for future generations and long-term missions.