Towards sustainable space: Assessing the contribution to the SDGs in aerospace activities

The NewSpace industry represents a paradigm shift in the aerospace sector, transitioning from government-led space activities to a commercialized, innovation-driven market. While this shift has accelerated technological advancements and economic growth, it has also introduced significant sustainability challenges. This study examines the transparency and sustainability reporting practices of NewSpace companies, evaluating their alignment with global sustainability goals and industry best practices. By analyzing 94 NewSpace companies, this research identifies the limited prevalence of sustainability reporting, with only 16 firms publishing non-financial reports. The findings highlight that companies most frequently address SDGs related to climate action (SDG 13), industry innovation (SDG 9), global partnerships (SDG 17), and clean energy (SDG 7). However, the voluntary nature of sustainability reporting results in inconsistencies in disclosure, clarity, and accuracy, making cross-industry comparisons challenging. Building on this assumption, we further explore whether introducing a new SDG goal specifically tailored to the unique characteristics of aerospace activities would be more effective in evaluating these companies.