# New Space Engineering Design: Characterization of Key Drivers
## 4 Conclusions  
This paper analyzes and classifies the primary design drivers and enablers for developing New Space solutions. The findings highlight how New Space introduces new and redefined elements into the engineering design process of space systems, reflecting a more open, mature, and responsive space sector. Among these, cost reduction remains a unifying objective across actors and mission types. In parallel, resilience has become a central aspect, supported by a shift from a reliability-focused approach to a broader perspective on system robustness and adaptability, further reinforced by more advanced industrial development and integration practices. This study also confirms an increased focus on space sustainability and technological independence, with the aim of establishing a safe and resilient operational environment.  
Current efforts are largely guided by voluntary guidelines and design best practices, with space agencies playing a leading role in promoting responsible development. A more robust legal and regulatory framework, fostered by international cooperation and policy initiatives, could further support the implementation of safety and sustainability-oriented technologically sound engineering solutions. This would enable more harmonized development and equitable growth across the sector.  
The outcomes of this work aim to enhance practitioners' awareness when evaluating or selecting space systems, supporting informed decisions during the early phases of innovative system design. By consolidating the key factors that have shaped New Space to date, future research may draw on these results to extend the current analysis by integrating structured foresight methodologies, such as scenario building or technology road mapping, to explore the implications of emerging technologies (e.g., space nuclear energy or artificial intelligence), as well as evolving international cooperation frameworks and more niche application scenarios, such as space tourism.  
In conclusion, the findings of this study lay the groundwork for implementing a knowledge-based early design framework in a real-world industry case study that is focused on the development of an innovative and sustainable space propulsion system based on water electrolysis.  
Conceptualization, D.F., P.C., A.M. and A.C.C.; methodology, D.F., P.C. and A.C.C.; data curation, D.F.; writing--original draft preparation, D.F.; writing--review and editing, D.F., P.C., A.M., A.C.C. and M.T.; supervision, P.C., A.M. and A.C.C. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.  
This doctoral project was activated under The Italian Ministry of University and Research--Ministerial Decree 117/2023, resources based on PNRR, Mission 4, component 2 \"From Research to Business\"--Investment 3.3 \"Introduction of innovative doctorates that meet the innovation needs of businesses and promote the hiring of researchers from businesses\", with the contribution and involvement of MIPRONS S.r.l.  
A.M. is the Chief Executive Officer of the company MIPRONS srl, and D.F. holds a PhD scholarship co-funded by MIPRONS S.r.l. and Universita degli Studi Roma Tre. P.C., M.T., and A.C.C. declare that they have no conflicts of interest. All authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial interests that could have influenced the design, execution, or interpretation of this research work.  
The following abbreviations are used in this manuscript:  
\begin{tabular}{l l} AM & Additive Manufacturing \\ COTS & Commercial Off-the-Shelf \\ CSA & Canadian Space Agency \\ DAS & Debris Assessment Software \\ DRAMA & Debris Risk Assessment and Mitigation Analysis \\ ECSS & European Cooperation for Space Standardization \\ \end{tabular}