All articles tagged with #satellite pollution
Researchers propose a shift from designing satellites to burn up upon reentry ('design for demise') to creating indestructible satellites ('design for non-demise') that survive reentry, aiming to reduce atmospheric pollution and protect the ozone layer, despite potential risks of debris falling to Earth.
An ex-NASA physicist warns that satellite megaconstellations like Elon Musk's Starlink could disrupt Earth's magnetosphere, exposing life to deadly cosmic rays. Dr. Sierra Solter-Hunt's study suggests that SpaceX's satellite debris is creating a metal layer in orbit, potentially distorting or trapping the magnetic field. With concerns about the impact on astronomical research and the accumulation of space junk, the study has drawn both support and skepticism from the scientific community.
Plasma physicist Sierra Solter warns that the disposal of satellites, particularly by companies like SpaceX, may be damaging the Earth's magnetic field and protective plasma environment. She argues that the burning up of retired satellites in the atmosphere releases metallic ash, potentially disrupting the ionosphere and ozone layer, and even affecting the planet's magnetic field. Solter urges further study of this pollution and calls for a reconsideration of satellite internet until its potential impact is better understood.
Nearly 30,000 objects, including satellites and space junk, are hurtling through near-Earth orbit, posing a threat to space sustainability and Earth's climate. Manmade debris is changing the sky and potentially harming the ozone layer, with predictions of 50% of stratospheric aerosols being manmade in the coming decades. The commercial space race, with plans to launch thousands of satellites, is adding to the pollution, while aging satellites and rocket emissions contribute to the problem. Efforts to address the issue include missions to remove space junk and the launch of the world's first biodegradable satellite.