Earth-Space System Science

Our space environment is being used more and more intensively, mega constellations are beginning to light up the night sky and disrupt astronomy. Junk is accumulating in the more heavily used Earth orbits, increasing the risk of a cascade effect which renders spacefaring impossible. Meanwhile, several countries now want to go to the Moon, and this time plan to use its resources.

As our time on Earth is limited, we need to be able to move. But we need ethical guidelines in the area of outer space, which is an international domain, especially because the law remains open to interpretation.

Earth-Space System Science

In collaboration with Prof. Gabriela Schaepman-Strub (Dept. of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies),Dr. Miles Timpe (Collegium Helveticum) is developing an integrated Earth-Space system model to quantify the impact of spaceflight on Earth's biosphere. In addition to the Earth system, this research also explores the impact of space missions on the lunar environment.