Thousands of satellites are burning every year. What effect does the earthly atmosphere have?

In 2023, a group of researchers from the United States and Great Britain discovered particles containing various metals in the stratosphere, including aluminum and lit. They came from spacecraft and accompanying waste, for example disposable rocket members. When they burn in the atmosphere, they release a number of substances.

The full composition of these emissions remains unclear, but it is known that pollution affects the thermal balance of the atmosphere. The problem will intensify, because according to preliminary estimates by 2033, around 3500 tons of aerosols from entering the atmosphere will go to the atmosphere until 2033.

Aerosols are tiny molecules suspended in the air of different colors and shapes. Light molecules usually reflect sunlight, thus causing cooling, while darker particles absorb light and lead to warming. For example, the “cooling” properties have aluminum oxide – some scientists even suggested injecting its particles into the stratosphere to reduce climate change.

It is much too early to determine to what extent the relationship will cool the planet – as well as predict unintentional consequences, for example more frequent extreme weather phenomena. It is known, however, that the content of aluminum oxides from satellites in the atmosphere is currently approaching the levels produced by meteorites, and will soon exceed them significantly.

Aluminum oxide and other impurities also act as catalysts for the breakdown of the ozone layer, a part of the stratosphere that protects the Earth from solar radiation.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the ozonosphere was damaged by chemical compounds known as CFC (chloroploorbelling), which were used in refrigerators, cans with aerosol and cleaning agents. The 1987 Montreal protocol withdrew CFC and other substances that destroy the ozone layer, which led to its slight improvement.

According to the World Economic Forum, the economic benefits resulting from the protection of the ozone layer are a total of around $ 2.2 trillion of American dollars. For example, a thinner ozone layer increases exposure to harmful ultraviolet radiation (UV), leading to more frequent occurrence of skin and cataracts.

The re -entry of satellites and space rubbish can therefore not only affect the earthly atmosphere, but also pose a serious threat to the global climate and public health. More importantly, in contrast to ground pollution, pollution from old spacecraft may persist in the upper atmosphere for decades or centuries, remaining undetected until their effect on the ozone concentration does not become obvious.

Despite the success of the Montreal protocol, it is expected that the ozone layer will not fully rebuild until 2066. This means that the restoration of what has been damaged in just a few decades will take up to 80 years.

Until now, we are not able to deal with the problem, which is the increase in the average global air temperature. Climate change is progressing and humanity has not found a solution. Therefore, we cannot cause further damage in the environment by accumulating satellite garbage on the border of the earthly atmosphere.

However, there is no simple solution. If we want to benefit from global satellite networks, then we really have to let them burn in the atmosphere. This is currently the only profitable method of their utilization.

For now, the space industry contribution to the destruction of the ozone layer and climate change is relatively small. Space activity is growing exponentially, which is why we cannot afford to overlook the consequences of satellite garbage.