The environmental impact of emissions from space launches: A comprehensive review

Dallas, Jessica; Raval, Simit; Gaitan, J.P. Alvarez; Saydam, Serkan; Dempster, Andrew G.

doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120209

Cited by 80 publications

(66 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Some metallic and polymeric orbiting debris undergo chemical reactions when burning through the atmosphere, depleting ozone and generating carbon and nitrogen oxides (Physics Today 2009; Staughton 2020). Also, emissions from space mission launches cause significant atmospheric pollution, and the combustions of solid rocket motor fuels and liquid propellants through the upper atmosphere have raised concerns on the loss of stratospheric ozone (Dallas et al 2020).…”

Section: Atmospheric Pollution and Climate Impactmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Upon burning, some space debris consumes ozone and release carbon dioxide, which may-unlike in the lower atmosphere-induce cooling and contraction of the thermosphere due to increased heat shedding via infrared radiation (Staughton 2020;Derrick 2010;Laštovička et al 2006). Rocket and plane propellants are likely to pollute the earth's atmosphere and deplete the stratospheric ozone (Dallas et al 2020). The falloff of nuclearpowered engines and parts may cause large radioactive pollution (Levi 2007).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Space industrialization

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Section: Atmospheric Pollution and Climate Impactmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

Space industrialization

et al. 2022

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“…SpaceX's new Starship, which the company plans to use to launch 400 Starlink satellites at a time, will be fueled by methane, the combustion of which produces soot that may, like black carbon, contribute to radiative forcing. All liquid fuels will affect mesospheric cloud formation 31 , with potential climate consequences. Rockets even threaten the ozone layer by depositing radicals directly into the stratosphere 29 , with solid-fueled rockets causing the most damage because of the hydrogen chloride and alumina they contain 29 www.nature.com/scientificreports/…”

Section: Surface Impacts and Atmospheric Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Satellite mega-constellations create risks in Low Earth Orbit, the atmosphere and on Earth

Boley

Byers

2021

Sci Rep

105

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The rapid development of mega-constellations risks multiple tragedies of the commons, including tragedies to ground-based astronomy, Earth orbit, and Earth’s upper atmosphere. Moreover, the connections between the Earth and space environments are inadequately taken into account by the adoption of a consumer electronic model applied to space assets. For example, we point out that satellite re-entries from the Starlink mega-constellation alone could deposit more aluminum into Earth’s upper atmosphere than what is done through meteoroids; they could thus become the dominant source of high-altitude alumina. Using simple models, we also show that untracked debris will lead to potentially dangerous on-orbit collisions on a regular basis due to the large number of satellites within mega-constellation orbital shells. The total cross-section of satellites in these constellations also greatly increases the risk of impacts due to meteoroids. De facto orbit occupation by single actors, inadequate regulatory frameworks, and the possibility of free-riding exacerbate these risks. International cooperation is urgently needed, along with a regulatory system that takes into account the effects of tens of thousands of satellites.

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“…This work fits into the larger discipline which seeks to understand the environmental effects of emissions from space launches, including mesospheric cloud formation (Dallas et al., 2020). A recent modeling study assessing the global atmospheric response of PMC formation to launches simulated 10 5 flights per year to determine an increase in PMC (Larson et al., 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Northern Mid‐Latitude Mesospheric Cloud Frequencies Observed by AIM/CIPS: Interannual Variability Driven by Space Traffic

Stevens

Randall

Carstens

et al. 2022

Earth and Space Science

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Recent advances in data processing from the Cloud Imaging and Particle Size (CIPS) instrument on the NASA Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere satellite allow observation of bright mesospheric clouds at mid‐latitudes (<60°). When adjusted for the evolving local time (LT) of the CIPS observations during its mission we find that the frequencies of these bright clouds in the northern hemisphere show no trend from 2007 to 2021 and no dependence on the solar cycle, although the interannual variability is extreme. Rather we investigate the possible link with propellant exhaust from orbital vehicles, typically launched at lower latitudes. By filtering the launch record equatorward of 60°N using only those launches between 23 and 10 LT, we find a strong correlation with the observed mid‐latitude mesospheric cloud frequency variability between 56° and 60°N. Meridional winds at 92 km from a meteorological analysis system reveal that these morning launches occurred at the time of maximum northward transport. Based upon this combination of high correlation between the cloud frequency and the launch record plus favorable transport conditions, it is likely that space traffic has a strong influence on the interannual variability of these bright mesospheric clouds.

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The environmental impact of emissions from space launches: A comprehensive review

Cited by 80 publications

References 41 publications

Space industrialization

Space industrialization

Satellite mega-constellations create risks in Low Earth Orbit, the atmosphere and on Earth

Northern Mid‐Latitude Mesospheric Cloud Frequencies Observed by AIM/CIPS: Interannual Variability Driven by Space Traffic

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