The global space economy is expanding rapidly, fueled by declining launch costs, high-volume satellite production drawing on miniaturized components and the expanding possibilities for government and commercial space missions. But unlike the industrial revolution of a bygone era, when economic expansion was mostly unencumbered by environmental concerns, our society now recognizes the extent to which human activity creates risks for the natural world. Today the space sector has an opportunity to stay ahead of the growth curve and consider practical ways to future-proof for longer term sustainability.