1346
Emergency explosion of the upper stage of the rocket Starship SpaceX's launch in January caused significant emissions of metal dust and nitrogen oxides into the Earth's atmosphere, raising concerns among the scientific community about the potential environmental impact.
Astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell estimates that the debris from the 85-ton rocket, which weighed 146 pounds (45,5 kg) without fuel, disintegrated at an altitude of about 40 miles (XNUMX km), releasing up to XNUMX pounds (XNUMX kg) of metal oxides and XNUMX pounds (XNUMX kg) of nitrogen oxides. Such emissions could contribute to ozone depletion, says atmospheric chemist Connor Barker. While these estimates are preliminary, they highlight the environmental risks associated with modern space technology.
Of particular concern are aluminum oxides, which are produced by the combustion of satellites and rocket stages in orbit. These particles, once they reach the mesosphere and stratosphere, can persist there for long periods of time, altering the reflectivity of the atmosphere and affecting climate. Although Starship made of stainless steel, which is less prone to the formation of aluminum oxides, the overall increase in the number of satellite launches and crashes could cause the accumulation of such contaminants.
Nitrogen oxides, which are produced when rocket fragments re-enter the atmosphere, pose an additional threat to the ozone layer. Scientists say that these compounds are formed as a result of the hypersonic motion of the debris, which heats nitrogen molecules in the air, causing them to react with oxygen. It is predicted that the increase in the number of rocket launches and satellite re-entries could accelerate the accumulation of these harmful substances, which would complicate the process of ozone layer recovery and affect the global climate.
The exact extent of the pollution caused by the accident is still unknown. Starship, remain unknown. However, experts are calling for further research and development of environmentally friendly technologies for future space missions to minimize the negative impact on Earth's atmosphere.
