# New Space Engineering Design: Characterization of Key Drivers
## 3 Results and Discussion
### General Discussion of New Space Design Drivers and Enablers
#### 3.1.3 Category C: Sustainability and Technological Independence
Although tradeoffs are still under evaluation, particularly regarding the feasibility, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of establishing operation facilities, these opportunities are particularly attractive considering the high costs and times associated with transporting materials from Earth. Several studies are already underway to explore and develop the necessary technologies, suggesting that ISRU may soon become a tangible and competitive solution. For example, pilot-scale demonstrations of water extraction from lunar regolith using a drilling-based thermal method have already been carried out [75]. Another study provides a comprehensive budget and performance analysis of an ISRU plant designed to extract metals (e.g., low-carbon steel and ferrosilicon alloys) and oxygen from lunar regolith [76]. In this scenario, incorporating the potential use of space-based resources into the early stages of system design could offer a decisive advantage in terms of long-term sustainability, strategic autonomy, and economic viability. At the same time, the drive for sustainability is also fostering innovation in materials science. The use of safer and more environmentally responsible materials is not limited to repurposing available resources, such as the renewed interest in using water as a propellant [77], but is actively influencing the development of new materials optimized for space applications [74]. Another aspect that has traditionally received limited attention in space system design but is now essential for ensuring strategic competitiveness at both business and national levels is technological independence. Achieving this often requires deliberate design choices to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers or export-controlled technologies while carefully navigating restrictive regulatory frameworks, such as the United States International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the European Union's Regulation (EU) 2021/821. Although these are legal instruments, they are highly technical in nature and directly impact space technologies, often classified as sensitive due to international security concerns. Practical applications of these principles can be found in the development of \"ITAR-free\" technologies, aimed at simplifying international collaboration and promoting innovation [78]. For instance, the design of dual-use smart antenna arrays for aerospaceapplications or space-rated high-precision time-to-digital converter chips demonstrates how compliance-aware design can support both market expansion and regulatory flexibility [30; 79]. Although no single design standard exists for achieving technological independence, systems engineering frameworks like NASA/SP-2016-6105 [80] and ECSS-M-ST-60 [81] highlight the importance of manufacturability, logistics management, and configuration control, which contribute to supply chain robustness. Structured space companies may adopt internal compliance programs to align with these frameworks and ensure conformity from the earliest stages of development. Defining an effective strategy depends on the specific company's goals. Strengthening the space sector's supply chain requires a shift in design culture, where early-stage decisions explicitly account for production feasibility, regulatory constraints, and supplier availability. Strategies such as integrating supply chain input into system architecture, mapping lower-tier risks, and establishing make-or-buy criteria are increasingly seen as critical enablers of technological independence and industrial resilience [82]. From an engineering perspective, system designers can incorporate early measures such as component standardization and modularity to facilitate interchangeability, design for local manufacturing capabilities, select regionally available materials and processes, and ensure compatibility with additive manufacturing workflows [83]. Furthermore, adopting open architecture and ensuring multi-sourcing compatibility reduces reliance on specific suppliers, supporting flexibility under regulatory and logistical constraints.