Super-cluster of satellites could change Earth's climate.

In an article published in Earth's Future magazine in mid-May, researchers expressed concerns about the impact of black carbon from launching satellites into Earth orbit. Since the era of super-satellite clusters began in 2020, air pollution concentrations at high altitudes from satellite launches and re-entry have increased significantly. According to Eloise Marais, professor of atmospheric chemistry and air quality at University College London, this pollution could alter Earth's climate in the future.

"Pollution from the space industry is like an uncontrolled, small-scale geotechnical experiment that can have many serious and unforeseen environmental consequences," Marais stated.

A simulation of a Starlink satellite in orbit. Photo: SpaceX

Marais and colleagues are studying the impact of air pollution related to satellites. They estimate that by 2029, air pollution from satellite launches in superclusters such as Starlink, Amazon Leo, or China's Guowang and Quianfan projects will account for more than 40% of the total pollution generated by the space industry.

According to Space, superclusters of satellites, often used to transmit internet to users in remote areas from near-Earth space, are becoming a rapidly growing trend. Because they utilize satellites with limited lifespans, requiring replacement after about five years with more modern and powerful technology, superclusters necessitate more frequent satellite launches and re-entry compared to long-term missions, leading to greater air pollution in the upper atmosphere.

Marais explained that most of today's super-cone launches burn kerosene fuel due to their reliance on the Falcon 9 rocket, producing black carbon. This black carbon is released into the upper atmosphere and remains there for 2.5-3 years, thus having a climate impact 540 times greater than black carbon from ground-based sources such as ships, cars, and power plants. Black carbon is a component of particulate matter with a high heat absorption efficiency, formed through the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biomass, and biofuels, and then released into the air as fine particulate matter (PM2.5).

The research team estimated the impact of air pollution from rocket launches by calculating the amount of pollution likely to be generated from the launch and re-entry of satellites over a given period. While satellite launches primarily produce black carbon, which can warm the upper atmosphere, re-entry produces aluminum oxide, which can destroy the ozone layer. The researchers then ran climate models to show the expected impact of the pollutants on Earth.

According to the European Space Agency (ESA), there are more than 15,000 active satellites orbiting the planet, three times the number in 2020. This increase is primarily driven by SpaceX's Starlink supercluster, with over 10,000 satellites. New competitors include Amazon LEO or Guawang and China's Qianfan, which is under construction. By 2030, around 100,000 satellites could be orbiting Earth, with even stronger growth expected in the coming decades.

Marais warns that with the uncontrolled increase in launches, the amount of particulate matter released into the upper atmosphere could reach concentrations that affect Earth's climate. Even though by 2029, the concentration of pollutants from satellite launches and re-entry will only account for 1% of the amount needed to cause geotechnical impacts, the continuous accumulation of pollutants from satellite deployments is still considered a serious concern.

( According to vnexpress.net )

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