Summary:
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Global Inventory Created
A new report catalogs air pollution from space activities between 2020 and 2022, analyzing emissions from 446 rocket launches and re-entries. -
Pollution Metrics
The study documents 63,000 tons of rocket propellants used in 2022 and about 12,000 tons emitted from 3,622 objects re-entering the atmosphere from 2020 to 2023. -
Types of Pollutants
Launch emissions include soot, aluminum oxides, nitrogen oxides, and chlorine, with soot at high altitudes having a climate impact up to 500 times greater than aviation sources. -
Long-Term Effects
Particles such as aluminum oxide and nitrogen oxides can harm the ozone layer, which protects against harmful ultraviolet radiation, persisting in the atmosphere for decades. -
Data Collection Challenges
Dr. Connor Barker noted the difficulty in gathering this information due to its tight control by rocket manufacturers and agencies, requiring innovative research methods.
Read more at: The Guardian
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