In 15 years, the rockets launched per year has nearly tripled, and the satellites orbiting the planet has increased 10 times.
- Space debris re-entry has doubled in decade and debris’ atmospheric burning creates toxic emissions.
Atmospheric impact of rocket launches
- Alumina (Al2O3) and black carbon (soot): Al2O3 and soot absorb and trap the long-wave radiation from Earth, thus resulting in warming.
- A warmer stratosphere results in faster ozone depletion by speeding up the chemical reactions.
- Ozone depletion: Alumina, chlorine, nitrogen oxides, etc in rocket launch plumes all contribute to stratospheric ozone depletion.
- The Montreal Protocol for protection of the ozone, does not address rocket emissions.
- Carbon dioxide: Each rocket launch produces 50-75 tonnes of CO2 per passenger, significantly higher than airplane flights (1-3 tonnes of CO2).
- Upper atmospheric-level pollution: ~2/3rd of propellant exhaust is released into the stratosphere (12-50 km) and mesosphere (50-85 km), where it persists for at least 2-3 years.
- Even “green rockets,” propelled by liquid hydrogen, produce water vapor, which is a greenhouse gas at high altitudes.
- Metallic ash: May disrupt Earth’s magnetic field, allowing more harmful cosmic radiation to reach the planet's surface.
Measures for controlling Pollution
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