Royce at Oxford: Circular Batteries in Space: Enabling a Sustainable Space Economy

This workshop is sponsored by the Henry Royce Institute, the Faraday Institution and Satellite Applications Catapult, with support from Linacre College.

 

Overview

This workshop will explore the transition toward economy for batteries in space, moving beyond abandonment toward systems designed for reuse, repair, and material recovery. This shift aligns with the emerging In-space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) market, which is projected to reach a valuation of $14.3 billion by 2030. By enabling in-orbit battery replacement or refurbishment, mission operators could potentially extend the functional life of billion-dollar assets by 3 to 5 years, significantly improving the return on investment while reducing the need for new launches.

 

About this Workshop

Solving the battery circularity challenge requires perspectives beyond traditional engineering. This workshop will cover the following aspects:

  • Technical Pathways: design-for-disassembly, robotic refueling/servicing interfaces, and modular energy storage.
  • Policy & Governance: new regulatory frameworks for orbital resource management and “Right to Repair” in space.
  • Economic Incentives: funding models from national research councils, space agencies, and private sustainability programs.

 

Further Event Details

The deadline for receipt of expressions of interest is Friday 15 May 2026 17:00 BST. To submit your expression of interest to participate, click here. Further event details can be found here.

Date
June 22 2026 -
June 22 2026
Time
All day
Location
South East
Event Type
Workshop
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