Dr. David Canales Garcia: Pioneering Sustainable Practices for the Cislunar Frontier

As humanity ventures beyond low-Earth orbit (LEO), cislunar space — the region between Earth and the Moon — is emerging as a crucial frontier for exploration and technological advancement. With over 30 missions planned in the coming decade, this domain is set to transform into a hub for scientific discovery, infrastructure development, and a testing ground for deep-space technologies. However, the challenges of operating in this unique environment demand innovative solutions in areas such as space debris mitigation, space domain awareness, and international collaboration. 

EcoAero had the opportunity to speak with Dr. David Canales Garcia from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Dr. Garcia is an expert in astrodynamics and space traffic management, specializing in the study of complex orbital environments, including cislunar space. He has contributed significantly to understanding the dynamic interactions of gravitational forces in the Earth-Moon system and the development of sustainable practices for spacecraft operations. His insights provided valuable context for the challenges and opportunities ahead in exploring cislunar space. 

Unlike low-Earth orbit, where gravitational forces are relatively uniform, cislunar space is characterized by the interplay of Earth’s and Moon’s gravitational pulls, creating inherently sensitive orbital dynamics. Dr. Garcia points out that instabilities pose significant challenges for mission planners, requiring careful analysis and adaptation. This sensitivity complicates trajectory planning, spacecraft constellation design, and long-term orbital stability. According to him, achieving stability in such a complex environment necessitates the use of advanced models and constant monitoring. Stable orbits, like the direct retrograde orbit, are under study as potential sites for fuel depots and communication relays. However, even these orbits pose risks if debris accumulates, potentially endangering operational spacecraft for extended periods. Dr. Garcia notes that without proper management, this accumulation of debris could have long-term negative impacts on cislunar activities. In unstable orbits, the risks escalate. Collisions or explosions can scatter debris across vast areas, affecting not only spacecraft in the vicinity but also the Moon’s surface and Earth's orbital sphere of influence. Researchers like him are employing advanced simulation tools to model debris behavior, aiming to define the sustainable number of spacecraft for each orbit and mitigate risks. These efforts, while still in their early stages, underscore the urgency of establishing regulations to govern space traffic management in cislunar space. 

As traffic increases in cislunar space, robust space domain awareness becomes essential. Dr. Garcia stresses that improved tracking and situational awareness are crucial to ensure the safety of all missions in this increasingly crowded space. Optical telescopes, which use reflected sunlight to track spacecraft, are emerging as a preferred tool due to their precision and stealth capabilities compared to radio-frequency systems. While Earth-based optical systems have range limitations, space-based observation platforms are gaining prominence for their ability to monitor spacecraft in this complex region. He believes that these platforms will be instrumental in maintaining the safety and reliability of cislunar operations. Innovations in spacecraft attitude control, onboard data processing, and proximity operations like docking and landing are also advancing. Technologies such as LiDAR and high-fidelity imaging are being developed to

enhance precision. Simultaneously, researchers are optimizing algorithms for efficient data processing, enabling more reliable and autonomous spacecraft operations in cislunar space. 

Cislunar exploration involves diverse stakeholders, including the U.S., China, Russia, India, and European nations. Achieving consensus on operational standards and regulations remains a challenge. Open science, which promotes sharing research data and simulation tools, offers a pathway to foster international cooperation. Dr. Garcia suggests that open science initiatives can break down barriers and accelerate progress toward shared goals. By making research methodologies publicly accessible, stakeholders can accelerate progress toward sustainable mission planning and debris mitigation. 

The growing intersection of academic research and commercial interests is shaping the trajectory of cislunar exploration. Unlike the government-led Apollo era, today’s efforts feature partnerships between agencies like NASA and private companies. These collaborations aim to develop reusable vehicles, precision landing systems, and in-space refueling infrastructure. However, aligning commercial profitability with sustainability goals is critical. Dr. Garcia emphasizes that finding this balance will be a defining factor in the success of future cislunar missions. For instance, proposals to deorbit expired spacecraft into the Moon’s North Pole strike a balance between operational feasibility and sustainability, but they also emphasize the critical need for international agreements to ensure adherence. Introducing federal funding and incentives linked to eco-friendly practices could help bridge the gap between academic innovation and commercial objectives.

Cislunar space represents more than a stepping stone to Mars—it is a proving ground for sustainable practices and cutting-edge technologies. Efforts to refine trajectory models, improve SDA methods, and advance debris mitigation will shape humanity’s ability to operate safely and efficiently in deep space. Dr. Garcia asserts that these efforts are not just technical challenges but also opportunities to set new standards for responsible exploration. Collaboration between academia, industry, and international stakeholders is vital to building a framework for responsible exploration. By investing in research, fostering open collaboration, and prioritizing sustainability, the cislunar domain can unlock unparalleled opportunities for exploration and innovation while safeguarding its viability for future generations. 

Dr. Garcia advocates for the development of international guidelines to ensure sustainable use of cislunar orbits, believing that this will make the most impact. He also highlights that technological advancements will be key to the success of long-term missions in the cislunar domain. Ultimately, he believes that achieving long-term sustainability in cislunar space requires governments to legislate and enforce laws, while companies must continue to innovate and advance their technologies. At EcoAero, we believe that our role is to advocate and promote these laws and innovations to the broader public, ensuring that the importance of sustainability and technological progress is well understood and supported. EcoAero is dedicated to continuing efforts to promote sustainability in space, as well as advancing solutions to mitigate the challenges faced in cislunar exploration. By fostering awareness, supporting legislation, and encouraging technological innovation, we aim to help pave the way for a sustainable and prosperous future in space exploration.