How Burned-up space junk is polluting Earth's atmosphere

Image credit: peakpx

Image credit: peakpx

To address this issue, space agencies and organizations are working on strategies to reduce space debris and limit its impact on Earth's atmosphere.

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Man-made objects in space, such as defunct satellites and rocket stages, eventually reenter Earth's atmosphere. As they descend, they burn up due to the friction with the atmosphere, releasing compositional chemicals and materials into the air, contributing to pollution

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Space debris can contain hazardous materials, including fuels, lubricants, and other chemicals. When these materials burn up during reentry, they release pollutants into the atmosphere, affecting air quality

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Space debris poses a threat to the ISS. To avoid collisions, the ISS sometimes needs to perform maneuvers, expending fuel and generating emissions, indirectly contributing to atmospheric pollution

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Space debris collisions with active satellites can generate smaller fragments. These fragments can further pollute the atmosphere by entering lower orbits, posing risks to operational spacecraft and creating more debris in the process

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The pollution from space junk reentries may set back the healing process of Earth's upper atmosphere. This can impact the overall environmental balance and air quality.

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Image credit: peakpx

Image credit: peakpx

The environmental impact of space debris isn't limited to the immediate area of reentry. It can have indirect effects on global atmospheric conditions and the long-term health of our planet.

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The accumulation of space debris in Earth's orbit can lead to long-term environmental and safety concerns. As more objects are launched into space, the potential for pollution through debris reentry and in-orbit collisions continues to grow.

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The burning of space junk, including defunct satellites and rocket stages, releases various chemicals into the atmosphere. This can include toxic substances and pollutants that affect air quality on Earth.

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Space debris burning can produce byproducts like aluminum oxide, which contribute to atmospheric pollution. These byproducts can have detrimental effects on Earth's environment and hinder the healing process of the upper atmospheric layers.

Image credit: peakpx

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