The space sector is at an industrial inflection point. Heavy reusable launch and in-orbit robotics make a new approach possible: Large-Scale Space Infrastructure. This paper sets out how the UK could lead the development of sustainable, resilient large space structures that strengthen national security, drive economic growth and keep the orbital environment viable.
Why this matters now
- Space is now critical national infrastructure, central to intelligence, security and growth.
- Mega-constellations of disposable satellites raise concerns about congestion, debris and the atmospheric impact of de-orbiting hundreds of thousands of tonnes of material each year.
- Lewis and Kessler (2025) find the debris environment is unstable across more of low Earth orbit than previously thought.
- Decisions taken now risk locking in a path before alternatives have been properly assessed.
What is Large-Scale Space Infrastructure?
Large Space Structures: physically connected platforms such as space-based solar power satellites, telescopes, orbital data centres and habitation complexes.
Clustered Hubs: independent modules co-located in defined orbital volumes, such as manufacturing depots and recycling facilities.
The paper doesn’t argue against mega-constellations; both approaches will coexist. But for power, compute, manufacturing, large apertures and human habitation, larger structures can be more effective, and they offer a route to an in-orbit industrial economy.
Three areas where it can catalyse sustainability
- A circular, resilient orbital economy: moving from “de-orbit and burn” to in-orbit repair, upgrade and recycling.
- End-to-end lifecycle assessment: ensuring the net impact of space activity stays demonstrably positive. Space-based solar power studies already show 35.74 gCO₂e/kWh, significantly lower than terrestrial solar.
- Rules of the road: managing a smaller number of defined orbital volumes is simpler than managing vast numbers of disparate assets.
A balanced view
The paper addresses the challenges directly: collision risk, space weather, dark and quiet skies, and regulation including the 1972 Liability Convention and the draft EU Space Act. It also recognises that international consensus is elusive, so the UK can use its licensing regime and influence within ESA to set precedents.
Key recommendations
- Circular economy: study recycling in orbit; urgently assess the atmospheric impact of de-orbiting; treat space weather as a design requirement.
- Lifecycle assessment: adopt frameworks spanning Earth and space; fund research into large-structure sustainability.
- Regulation: include large structures in space traffic management; develop regulatory and physical testbeds; engage the astronomy community.
The opportunity
Proposed UK milestones
- In-space assembly demonstration within three years
- Megawatt-class pilot platform in orbit, with a UK anchor role, within five years
- First commercial revenue from a service enabled by large-scale infrastructure
