BSI Flex 1971 : best practice guidance for launch sustainability
The rapid growth in the UK space sector has led the British Standards Institute (BSI) and UK Space Agency (UKSA) to develop guidance on sustainable practices for UK Launch, to encompass how organisations:
a) incorporate environmental considerations and mitigations into their designs, supply chain, manufacturing and/or constructions;
b) incorporate environmental considerations and mitigations into their planning and execution of operations;
c) assess engineering and operational options to reduce environmental impact; and
d) minimize the environmental impact of all phases of the launch lifecycle, from material extraction, through production and operation to decommissioning.
Through Aurora’s work as Environmental Advisor to SaxaVord Spaceport, we were pleased to be asked to be asked to be an Advisory Group member for the guidance document, entitled BSI Flex 1971 Space sustainability – Launch – Code of Practice.
This standard, currently issued at V1 with the final V2 due for publication in early 2026, aims to:
- provide guidance on the environmental considerations for organisations planning, designing and/or operating any part of the orbital and suborbital space launch lifecycle
- focus on promoting sustainable launch through identification of launch lifecycle environmental impacts; and
- provide recommendations and guidance to help organisations reduce / mitigate such environmental impacts.
The final V2 BSI Flex 1971 guidance document will provide a framework for launch organizations enabling them to deliver operations with the least environmental impact and is anticipated to become the best practice guidance for launch sustainability, applicable UK-wide and also available for use internationally. Aurora, through our work with SaxaVord Spaceport, is proud to be a part of the BSI Flex 1971 Advisory Group, further underlining our commitment to the long-term sustainability of space projects and the development of a responsible UK space sector.
