Helena Joyce
Rocket launches are an integral part of the 21st century, but they also contribute to air pollution. The extent of their environmental impact is a topic of ongoing debate, with some arguing that the pollution caused by rocket launches is insignificant compared to other challenges, while others emphasize the need for more research and data. Rocket launches require large amounts of propellants, and the composition of these propellants determines the type of air pollutants emitted. The growing number of rocket launches, driven by the increasing demand for satellite internet services and space tourism, has raised concerns about their potential impact on the atmosphere, temperatures, and the ozone layer. While most of the pollution is released into the stratosphere and mesosphere, there are still concerns about the impact on ground-level air quality and the accumulation of space junk in Earth's orbit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rocket launches per year | 70 in the past, 144 in 2022 |
| Expected increase in rocket launches | Significant over the next two decades |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per rocket launch | 50-75 tonnes per passenger |
| Climate impact | Ozone depletion, stratospheric temperature rise, and thinning of the ozone layer |
| Pollutants | Black carbon, alumina (Al2O3), chlorine, nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydroxyl (OH), water vapour (H2O), and heavy metals |
| Pollutant emissions | Unclear due to limited research and lack of data |
| Environmental impact | "Space junk" and ecological disaster zones |
| Manufacturing impact | Greater environmental impact than the rocket launch itself |
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What You'll Learn
Rocket propellant emissions
The various rocket engine propellants produce different emissions. For instance, the SpaceX Starship burns methane, which is efficient and clean. Methane-based rocket propellant is an upcoming technology that might help the spaceflight industry transition from the more polluting solid rocket motors (SRMs). Solid rocket motors have dominated environmental studies on rocket launches, while liquid rocket propellants are underrepresented in the literature.
Unsymmetrical Dimethylhydrazine (UDMH), also known as "Devil's Venom", is a highly toxic propellant that has been used in the past and is still used in some rockets today. It is responsible for turning a large area of the Kazakh steppe into an ecological disaster zone. However, in Western countries, UDMH is only used in parts of space systems that don't come into contact with Earth, such as satellite propulsion and upper stages of rockets. Researchers are actively looking for possible replacements for UDMH.
The impact of rocket propellant emissions on the environment is a complex issue. While rocket launches do contribute to pollution, the percentage of fossil fuels burned by the space industry is relatively small compared to conventional aviation. The manufacturing of rockets and the use of synthetic fuels can also impact the environment in different ways. As the space industry grows, it is important to consider the potential cumulative impact of launches and take measures to mitigate their effects on the planet.
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Climate impact
Rocket launches have a climate impact, but the extent of this impact is not yet fully understood. The number of rocket launches is expected to increase significantly over the next two decades, driven by the growth in demand for satellite internet services and space tourism. This increase in rocket launches will likely result in a corresponding increase in emissions and pollution.
Rocket launches emit various pollutants into the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapour, black carbon or soot, alumina (Al2O3), chlorine, nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydroxyl (OH), and heavy metals. These emissions have been shown to contribute to ozone depletion through chemical reactions in the Earth's stratosphere. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, for example, emitted around 116 tons of CO2 during its first-stage launch.
The impact of rocket emissions on the climate is complex and depends on various factors, including the type of propellant used, the altitude at which the emissions are released, and the interactions between these emissions and the Earth's atmosphere. Most rocket launch pollution is released into the stratosphere and mesosphere, where it can persist for at least 2-3 years. This can result in a temperature rise in parts of the stratosphere and a thinning of the ozone layer.
While the direct pollution from rocket launches is significant, some argue that the manufacturing of rockets and the resulting emissions may have an even greater environmental impact. The production of aluminium and steel, for example, is energy-intensive and polluting, although it is not exclusive to the rocket manufacturing process. Additionally, the issue of 'space junk' or orbital debris re-entering the Earth's atmosphere and generating 're-entry smoke particles' (RSPs) is a growing concern that needs further study.
Overall, while rocket launches do have a climate impact, the extent of this impact is not yet fully understood due to limited research and data. Preventive measures and interventions are key to mitigating the potential environmental risks associated with rocket launches and the growing space tourism industry.
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Space junk
The presence of space junk can also prevent future launches from being successful, as the junk could collide with the launched spacecraft. This would result in even more space junk and further pollution of the atmosphere.
Several companies, including Amazon and SpaceX, are planning to launch thousands of new satellites to achieve global satellite internet coverage. If successful, this would result in a significant increase in the amount of space junk and the number of collision avoidance manoeuvres required.
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Manufacturing impact
The manufacturing of a rocket has a more detrimental impact on the environment than the launch itself. However, the manufacturing of aluminium and steel is a separate topic, and it is not exclusive to rockets.
Rocket launches are becoming increasingly common, with the number of commercial launches per year doubling from 70 to 140. This number is expected to increase significantly over the next two decades due to the growth in demand for services like satellite internet and space tourism. As a result, the amount of pollution from rocket launches will also increase.
The pollution from rocket launches is released primarily in the stratosphere and mesosphere, which are located 12 to 50 kilometres and 50 to 85 kilometres above the Earth's surface, respectively. The pollutants remain in these layers for at least two to three years. The alumina, chlorine, nitrogen oxides, hydroxyl, and water vapour in rocket launch plumes all contribute to ozone depletion through chemical reactions in the Earth's stratosphere.
The propellants used in rocket launches determine the type of air pollutants emitted. For example, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are a concern, with each rocket launch producing between 50 and 75 tonnes of CO2 per passenger. In comparison, a typical long-haul plane flight creates between one and three tonnes of CO2 per passenger.
The environmental impact of rocket launches has been recognised for some time, with scientists measuring aluminium oxide particles as early as the 1990s. However, the focus was not on how these particles scatter or absorb light. Instead, the attention was on the particles' contribution to ozone depletion.
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Environmental risk
Rocket launches have been an integral part of the 21st century, with the world's oldest spaceport, the Baikonur Cosmodrome, launching the world's first artificial satellite and the first human spaceflight. However, the environmental risks associated with rocket launches have become a growing concern.
Firstly, rocket launches release pollutants into the atmosphere. The propellants used in rocket launches, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), water, black carbon, and alumina particles, contribute to ozone depletion and climate change. Black carbon, or soot, expelled into the atmosphere can lead to a temperature rise in parts of the stratosphere and a thinning of the ozone layer. Alumina particles, previously thought to cool the Earth, have been found to absorb outgoing terrestrial radiation, contributing to warming the planet. The exhaust gases from rocket launches can persist in the stratosphere and mesosphere for at least 2-3 years, impacting the climate.
Secondly, the manufacturing of rockets can also have a significant environmental impact. The production of aluminum and steel, for example, is a highly energy-intensive process that contributes to CO2 emissions. While rocket launches themselves may have a relatively smaller impact compared to the aviation industry, the growing demand for space tourism and satellite services could significantly increase the number of rocket launches, exacerbating their environmental impact.
Additionally, "space junk" from disused satellites and other objects accumulating in Earth's orbit poses a long-term environmental concern. As space hardware falls back to Earth, it generates "re-entry smoke particles" (RSPs) that can affect the atmosphere. Furthermore, certain rocket fuels, such as Unsymmetrical Dimethylhydrazine (UDMH), have been dubbed "devil's venom" due to their highly carcinogenic nature. UDMH has been blamed for turning a large area of the Kazakh Steppe into an ecological disaster zone.
While the exact environmental impact of rocket launches is still being studied, with limited research available, it is clear that they contribute to air pollution and climate change. Preventive measures and interventions are crucial to mitigating these environmental risks.
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Frequently asked questions
Rocket launches generate between 50-75 tonnes of CO2 per passenger. However, the number of rocket flights is currently very small compared to other forms of aviation. Rocket launches are also relatively infrequent, so their overall impact on our climate remains much smaller than that of the aviation industry.
The environmental impact of rocket launches is twofold. Firstly, there is the direct pollution caused by the rocket engines spewing emissions into the atmosphere. Secondly, there is the pollution caused by the manufacturing of the rocket, which often involves the production of aluminium and steel.
Scientists are working on creating more accurate atmospheric models of the phenomenon, which will help to understand the microphysics of rocket emissions. Space companies and government agencies can also devote time and resources to collecting air quality data around launch sites.
