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Supply Chain Sustainability in Outer Space: Lessons to Be Learnt from Remote Sites on Earth

Varon Hoyos, Manuel; Hessel, Volker; Salas, Eduardo; Culton, John; Robertson, Karen; Laybourn, Andrea; Escribà-Gelonch, Marc; Cook, Nigel; de Zwart, Melissa

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Authors

Manuel Varon Hoyos

Volker Hessel

Eduardo Salas

John Culton

Dr ANDREA LAYBOURN ANDREA.LAYBOURN@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Marc Escribà-Gelonch

Nigel Cook

Melissa de Zwart



Abstract

Space exploration, with its enormous distances and extreme environments, is a challenge to technology, human habitation, sustainability, and supply chains. On the flip-side, however, it can provide a new vantage point on how to improve human life and planetary prosperity. This objective requires the development of economic and sustainable supply chains and a governance framework to guarantee fundamental human needs and well-being under the limitations of distant and inhospitable environments. This review describes learnings for human habitation in space from remote communities on Earth that have developed and survived over generations. These include a long history of human survival strategies on Tristan da Cunha, Pitcairn Islands, Nauru, and Easter Island. Their supply chain management solutions and their problems can guide the implementation of logistics systems for the efficient use of resources in space, to satisfy vital needs of human survival but also to ensure social and governance in space, e.g., build-up of thriving communities, mobility, and industrial activities. This review demonstrates that there are significant gaps in recent space supply chain studies with respect to the space environment, social and governance. Analysis of established practices and concepts from remote regions on Earth can readily respond to these deficiencies and thus supplement space exploration. This review recommends extending the assessment of supply-chain assets from the near future to long-term strategic. This implies going far beyond current space supply chain reports to include aspects of social responsibility and governance, such as sustainable health systems, product quality management, and local decision-making.

Citation

Varon Hoyos, M., Hessel, V., Salas, E., Culton, J., Robertson, K., Laybourn, A., Escribà-Gelonch, M., Cook, N., & de Zwart, M. (2024). Supply Chain Sustainability in Outer Space: Lessons to Be Learnt from Remote Sites on Earth. Processes, 12(10), Article 2105. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12102105

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Sep 22, 2024
Online Publication Date Sep 27, 2024
Publication Date Oct 1, 2024
Deposit Date Feb 20, 2025
Publicly Available Date Feb 21, 2025
Journal Processes
Electronic ISSN 2227-9717
Publisher MDPI
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 12
Issue 10
Article Number 2105
DOI https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12102105
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/45435114
Publisher URL https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9717/12/10/2105

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