Scientists Warn of Emissions Risks from the Surge in Satellites | It seems increasingly clear that rocket emission plumes, like reentries, will have a significant effect on the ozone layer.
Scientists Warn of Emissions Risks from the Surge in Satellites | It seems increasingly clear that rocket emission plumes, like reentries, will have a significant effect on the ozone layer.
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Scientists Warn of Emissions Risks from the Surge in Satellites
The title is a bit confusing. Reentry is a problem, but not because it’s a rocket plume. It’s because the satellite leaves aerosols in the atmosphere when it burns up, causing a potential failure of the ozone layer, as well as potentially harmful respiratory problems.
It’s looking like the satellite deorbit strategy of fully burning up on reentry is the exact opposite of what should happen - instead it should try to burn as little as possible and fall into the ocean.
In addition, satellite lifespan is too short, requiring more launches and deorbits.
It’s both, it’s launch exhaust and also stage re-entry. The article didn’t talk about EOL deorbiting, was an aside as the stages and other issues are always happening with every launch.
Ah yeah, didn’t mean to minimize the impact of the launch plume, that’s an issue too. But reentry is an entirely different problem with completely different mechanics and the title was confusing about that.