As Elon Musk's SpaceX Adds 28 Starlinks, Research Flags Climate Impact From Deorbiting Satellites
A new study has demonstrated that emissions from dying satellites may cause serious environmental damage, just as SpaceX added 28 more Starlink satellites to its burgeoning megaconstellation.
What happened: On Thursday night, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket was launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, deploying 28 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit.
The launch, which took place on Thursday, highlights the rapid expansion of satellite networks, while the study draws attention to the potential risks that come with them.
The total number of active Starlink satellites is now more than 7,200. The rocket’s reusable booster completed its 18th flight, landing on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean.
Why it matters: A satellite's typical lifespan is approximately five years, after which it is deorbited and burned up during re-entry. This emits pollutants like aerosolized aluminum into the atmosphere. The study, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, warns that these emissions can impact atmospheric temperatures, decrease wind speeds, and obstruct the ozone layer's recovery.
Researchers simulated the impact of 10,000 tonnes of aluminum oxide released every year by 2040, based on the projected disposal of 3,000 satellites annually. These emissions could result in temperature changes of up to 1.5°C in the upper atmosphere and worsen ozone depletion.
As companies like SpaceX continue launching satellites into orbit, the environmental consequences of are becoming harder to ignore. Last week, AST SpaceMobile announced a partnership with the US Science Foundation to safeguard astronomy observations while expanding its satellite network.
- Read Next: Elon Musk’s India Ambitions Face Regulatory Hurdles Amid Uncertainty Around Starlink License: Report
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