Jacqueline H. Smith, Moriba Jah, Danielle Wood, Architecting a decision support system for continuing supervision of commercial in-space servicing, Acta Astronautica, Volume 235, 2025, Pages 258-274, ISSN 0094-5765, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2025.05.036.

Abstract

The rapid development of in-space servicing technology and other novel space capabilities requires robust and transparent governance frameworks to ensure long-term space sustainability and adherence to international regulations, notably Article VI of the Outer Space Treaty. Article VI requires that signatory states provide continuing supervision over non-governmental space activities, a mandate becoming increasingly more challenging to fulfill due to the accelerating pace of commercial space innovations. In previous work published by the authors, a Systems Architecture Framework analysis investigated the governance of in-space servicing in the U.S. and the corresponding Stakeholder Need misalignments with current authorization and supervision processes. The initial research provided insights into the apparent Need for a Decision Support System addressing the practical challenges faced in the operational supervision of in-space servicing activities. In response, this paper roadmaps the application of the Environment-Vulnerability-Decision-Technology (EVDT) systems engineering framework into the realm of space sustainability challenges, such as for authorization and supervision of commercial in-space servicing. Originally conceived by the Space Enabled research group at MIT’s Media Lab, the EVDT framework has demonstrated its effectiveness in facilitating sustainable development decision-making through analysis of complex socio-environmental-technical systems across various terrestrial applications. Historical uses of EVDT span across aiding flood resilience in Indonesia, promoting mangrove preservation in Brazil, managing invasive plant species in Benin, revitalizing cranberry wetlands in the U.S., analyzing environmental injustice in prison landscapes, and urban planning strategies during the pandemic. Most recently, the inaugural adaptation of the EVDT framework to the space domain shows potential to enhance collision avoidance operation decisions for a Stakeholder within NASA. This paper proposes the expansion of the EVDT framework to broader space sustainability challenges, focusing on continuing supervision as the primary use-case, where this prototype’s capability to model and analyze hypothetical commercial in-space satellite servicing missions under U.S. jurisdiction will demonstrate the potential of EVDT to enhance space situational awareness (SSA) and space domain awareness. These operations are critical for collision prediction and consequence, risk assessment, and the implementation of sustainable operational practices. We introduce the plan for developing the Continuing Supervision EVDT software prototype, using a MATLAB-based method characterized by a modular architecture to facilitate integration and extension of functionality. The paper also introduces terminology, key concepts, objectives, and the use of the Systems Architecture Framework method within the EVDT software development process. The software design enables Stakeholders to custom-build and adapt their models to different space sustainability scenarios, improving code reuse, reducing development time, and simplifying interactions for external users and future space-based EVDT projects. The implementation of this Decision Support System has the potential to influence the authorization and supervision of novel space missions and the evolution of supporting SSA technologies, ultimately contributing to the responsible and sustainable use of the space environment. It helps ensure compliance with international space laws and promotes sustainability by equipping Stakeholders with software toolsets capable of simulating the orbital dynamics of spacecraft through mission phases. The paper also envisions the extensive application of the EVDT framework to an array of other space sustainability challenges, such as environmental sensitivity, debris mitigation, resource utilization, and planetary protection. Ultimately, the expansion of the EVDT framework into the domain of space sustainability will empower policymakers, commercial space operators, and other Stakeholders with an adaptive simulation tool that not only conforms to the current space governance systems but also flexibly shapes to future space policies, encouraging responsible stewardship over the space environment.