Last night I attended Ecosystem Space, a monthly happy hour hosted by the Space Workforce Incubator for Texas (SWIFT) and the Space Force Association, held at Capital Factory in downtown Austin. Part networking mixer, part brain trust, the event brought together technologists, government representatives, entrepreneurs, academics, and curious thinkers—each playing a role in shaping Texas’ place in the growing space industry.

At first glance, you might not expect a communications professional with a background in sustainability to show up at a space-sector event. But in reality, the overlap between space and sustainability is significant and growing.

Whether it’s using satellite data to monitor geographic data, designing closed-loop life support systems for long-term missions (i.e. water recycling and regenerative agriculture), or exploring how space design innovation can inform sustainable development here on Earth, the space sector is inherently about resourcefulness. It’s about doing more with less, often in environments where every ounce of energy and every drop of water must be carefully managed.

That’s why I was drawn to attend.