# New Space Engineering Design: Characterization of Key Drivers
## 1 Introduction
While this growth fosters innovation and accessibility, it also raises significant concerns regarding the exploitation of the space environment [9]. A direct consequence of space democratization is the growing accumulation of space debris, Earth-orbiting objects without control, which has created an urgent need for mitigation measures, formalized through design standards and operational requirements [10; 11]. A clear departure from the previous space era is marked by the integration of environmental impacts into design considerations of space systems [12]. This new awareness requires long-term sustainability and stringent safety measures in both human activities and space operations. This era is often referred to as Space 4.0 [13] due to the space industry's growing adoption of practices commonly used in other engineering sectors. Technological advancements and cost reduction are creating new opportunities for space commercialization. Numerous missions are planned, ranging from near-Earth operations to cislunar space, Mars, and deep space exploration [14]. The advancement of small satellite technologies enabled the rise of modern Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations for telecommunication and Earth observation [5]. The increasing specialization of New Space studies opens up opportunities for complex space missions, including debris removal, satellite repair and refueling, and autonomous operations [15]. Interplanetary exploration opened the way for In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU), which involves space mining and lunar-based processing, to help sustain distance operations and the human presence in future colonized regions. Communication services, material sciences, and space propulsion are among the key fields recognized for their role in driving innovation and economic growth [16]. Considering the above, today's increasingly competitive and rapidly evolving market presents numerous companies, particularly innovative startups and small enterprises, with new and challenging opportunities in the New Space sector. To define development plans and evaluate strategic directions, there is a growing need for up-to-date metrics and tools that can guide system design from the early stages. This study contributes to the current literature by identifying and categorizing a set of design drivers that characterize the requirements of New Space missions, along with the associated enabling technologies and design solutions that address them. The aim is to offer a structured reference for space system designers and innovators, especially during the conceptual development phases. The selected drivers are examined for their relevance at the engineering, technological, and commercial levels. Developing new technology without a heritage derived from previous systems requires preliminary market analysis and benchmarking of comparable systems to inform the conceptual design; this is particularly true for start-up companies. These initial analyses enable the capture of stakeholder expectations and key technology drivers, which can be translated into technical system requirements to support the creation of a competitive and well-balanced product. This paper provides knowledge to engage in the product development of space systems, along with the opportunity to extend the analysis and offer a broader overview of the evolving New Space industry. The following section outlines the research methodology. The results are then presented and discussed through an analysis of emerging directions in space system design, further contextualized across three representative application domains. This paper concludes with insights into future implementation and suggestions for further research.