Under-radar space exploration’s climate impact

• Rocket launches release carbon dioxide, black carbon, and water vapour into the atmosphere.

• Black carbon absorbs sunlight 500 times more than carbon dioxide, amplifying global warming.

• Rocket propellants deplete the ozone layer at high altitudes, increasing exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

• Satellites release “satellite ash” in the middle layers of the earth’s atmosphere, potentially altering the climate.

Dangers of Orbital Debris

• Space junk, defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments of satellites produced when they break apart in low earth orbit (LEO).

• Space junk can damage critical components used for communication, navigation, and climate monitoring.

• Orbital debris interferes with scientists’ ability to collect data about the earth from space.

Barriers to Space Sustainability

• Regulation is key to ensuring space remains accessible and environmentally sustainable.

• Without regulations, space will overcrowd LEO, making future missions more expensive.

• International cooperation through bodies like the Committee on the Peaceful Use of Outer Space (COPUOS) is necessary.

Achieving Sustainability in Space Exploration

• Innovative solutions include reusable rockets, transitioning to cleaner fuels, designing satellites with biodegradable materials, autonomous debris removal technologies, and a global traffic system.