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  • šŸŒ± How Space Launches Are Quietly Polluting Our Atmosphere šŸšØšŸš€

šŸŒ± How Space Launches Are Quietly Polluting Our Atmosphere šŸšØšŸš€

Discover how space launches are contributing to climate change and ozone damage through rocket emissions and satellite pollutionā€”an overlooked environmental threat.

Author

Green Glow
August 22, 2025

The modern space race is no longer about planting flags on the Moonā€”it's about launching thousands of satellites to connect the globe, support scientific missions, and fuel the digital economy. Companies like SpaceX, Amazon, and OneWeb are racing to build mega-constellations of satellites in Earthā€™s orbit. But as we look to the stars, we may be overlooking a critical question:
Whatā€™s the environmental cost of reaching space?

According to new research from University College London (UCL), the answer is alarming. Rocket launches are quietly polluting the upper atmosphere in ways that could seriously damage the climate and undo decades of environmental progress.

Table of Contents

Rockets: Small in Number, Huge in Impact

While the space industry contributes a relatively small amount of overall emissions compared to cars or airplanes, it punches well above its weight when it comes to climate impact per tonne of emissions.

The Numbers:

  • 259 rocket launches in 2024 alone

  • Over 153,000 tonnes of propellant burned in one year

  • A threefold increase in emissions from mega-constellation launches

Unlike most Earth-based emissions, soot and carbon dioxide released in the upper atmosphere remain trapped for much longerā€”amplifying their warming effects by up to 500 times compared to ground-level sources.

The Role of Mega-Constellations

Mega-constellations like Starlink (SpaceX), OneWeb, and the upcoming Amazon Kuiper involve launching thousands of small satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO). These constellations are designed to provide global internet coverage, but they require frequent, high-volume rocket launches and short satellite lifespans, which result in even more launches to replace old units.

As a result:

  • Mega-constellations now consume more propellant than all other space missions combined

  • Many satellites burn up during re-entry, releasing metal particles and chemical pollutants into the atmosphere

The Hidden Risk to the Ozone Layer

The environmental concerns donā€™t end with carbon emissions. Some of the new rocketsā€”especially those using solid rocket fuels like those planned for Amazonā€™s Kuiper systemā€”emit chlorine compounds, which are highly destructive to the ozone layer.

This raises red flags because the Montreal Protocol, signed in 1987, has been successful in reducing ozone-depleting chemicals. But the gains made over the past few decades could be undone if space emissions remain unregulated.

So why isnā€™t more being done?

As it turns out, international space law is woefully outdated. According to current treaties:

  • The country that launches a space object retains legal responsibility

  • Thereā€™s no global enforcement mechanism for emissions or cleanup

  • This makes it nearly impossible to regulate pollution or debris, especially from private companies

Prof. Stuart Martin of the UK National Space Centre notes that this framework is ā€œvery much related to the principles of the high seas,ā€ where ownership trumps responsibility.

Looking Ahead: Time for Action

With thousands more satellite launches planned in the coming years, and new players entering the space industry, scientists are calling for:

  • A new international regime for regulating rocket emissions

  • Sustainable launch practices

  • Greater transparency from private companies

Failure to act could mean accelerating climate change from an unexpected source, undermining efforts to protect the ozone layer, and cluttering our skies with both visible satellites and invisible pollution.

Conclusion

As we expand our reach into space, we must remember that Earth is still our only home. The night sky may be filled with satellites, but what we do hereā€”on Earth and above itā€”has consequences that ripple through our atmosphere, ecosystems, and future.

If weā€™re not careful, the quest for connectivity may cost us far more than we bargained for.

FAQs

How do space launches pollute the atmosphere?

Rocket launches release pollutants like soot, carbon dioxide, and chlorine compounds into the upper atmosphere. These emissions linger longer than ground-level pollutants, magnifying their climate impact.

Are rocket emissions worse than airplane or car emissions?

In terms of volume, rocket emissions are smaller. However, their impact is much greaterā€”soot in the upper atmosphere can cause up to 500 times more warming than the same amount at ground level.

What are satellite mega-constellations and why are they a concern?

Mega-constellations are large groups of satellites launched into orbit to provide global internet coverage. They require frequent rocket launches and contribute significantly to space and atmospheric pollution.

Can rocket launches damage the ozone layer?

Yes. Some rockets, especially those using solid fuels, release ozone-depleting chlorine compounds that could undo progress made under the Montreal Protocol.

Why isnā€™t this pollution regulated?

Current space law assigns responsibility to the country that launches an object, but there's no global enforcement mechanism for emissions. This legal gap makes environmental regulation extremely difficult.

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