Helena Joyce
The Blue Origin rocket, owned by Jeff Bezos, has been the subject of much controversy regarding its environmental impact. With the recent launch of the New Shepard rocket, Blue Origin is leading the way for space tourism. However, despite claims of using a cleaner fuel that produces virtually no carbon dioxide, critics argue that the large quantities of water vapour emitted by the rocket can notably impact the mesosphere and ionosphere, the two atmospheric layers closest to the edge of space. This, along with the production of NOx, a compound that depletes the ozone layer, has brought into question the sustainability of Blue Origin's rocket launches and the wider implications of the emerging space tourism industry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Carbon dioxide emissions | Blue Origin claims no carbon emissions, but scientists argue that the water vapour produced by the rocket can damage the environment and deplete the ozone layer. |
| Water vapour emissions | Blue Origin emits large quantities of water vapour, which forms clouds in the upper atmosphere that can alter the climate. |
| Nitrous gases | Blue Origin's rockets produce NOx, a type of nitrous gas that is a pollutant and contributes to ozone depletion. |
| Fuel type | Blue Origin's rockets use liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen as fuel, which produces virtually no carbon dioxide. |
| Comparison to other rockets | Blue Origin's rockets are claimed to be greener than Branson's VSS Unity, which uses a carbon-based fuel that produces CO2, soot, and water vapour. |
| Environmental impact | The environmental cost of Blue Origin's nearly 11-minute flight into space has been questioned, with critics arguing that the carbon emissions from launching a rocket are significant. |
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What You'll Learn
Blue Origin's fuel
Blue Origin is an American space technology company founded by Jeff Bezos in 2000. The company's New Shepard rocket engine, called Blue Engine 3 (BE-3), runs on a combination of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. These elements react to generate a significant amount of heat and propulsive force to launch the rocket. This type of fuel produces virtually no carbon dioxide, with main emissions being water and some minor combustion products. However, the large quantities of water vapour emitted can form clouds in the upper atmosphere, altering the climate and potentially causing damage to the environment.
Blue Origin has also developed the BE-4 rocket engine, which is fuelled by liquefied natural gas (LNG). LNG is highly efficient, low cost, and widely available. It also has clean combustion characteristics, even at low throttle, simplifying engine reuse. The BE-4 engine was first delivered to United Launch Alliance and has since been used in successful missions, including NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program.
Blue Origin's choice of fuel for its rocket engines appears to be a conscious effort to reduce carbon emissions compared to other rocket fuels, such as kerosene, which produce greenhouse gases and air pollutants. However, the environmental impact of any rocket launch, including those by Blue Origin, is a complex issue that requires detailed modelling to understand fully.
In addition to its work with rocket engines, Blue Origin has been awarded contracts for developing nuclear spacecraft and propulsion systems. These projects, such as the DRACO program and the Power Adjusted Demonstration Mars Engine (PADME), involve partnerships with multiple organisations to advance space exploration capabilities.
While Blue Origin's fuel choice may reduce carbon emissions, the overall impact of space tourism and rocket launches on the environment is a subject of ongoing discussion and requires careful consideration of various factors.
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Carbon emissions
Bezos has claimed that his New Shepard rocket, which runs on a combination of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, produces no carbon emissions. Atmospheric scientist Darin Toohey agrees that the main emissions from the rocket would be "water and some minor combustion products, and virtually no CO2." However, Toohey also notes that the water vapour emitted by the rocket can form clouds in the upper atmosphere that can alter the climate. This is supported by a 2019 paper by Toohey and fellow atmospheric scientist Martin Ross, which warns of the impact of water vapour emissions from rocket launches on the mesosphere and ionosphere.
While Blue Origin's fuel choice may reduce carbon dioxide emissions, the company has still been criticised for the pollution produced by its launches. The New Shepard rocket, for example, has been found to emit large quantities of pollutants such as NOx and water vapour, which deplete the ozone layer. This layer protects the Earth from harmful UV radiation, so its depletion would have significant environmental consequences.
In addition to the direct emissions from its rockets, Blue Origin has also been criticised for the indirect carbon emissions associated with its operations. The company's plans for space tourism, which include offering brief periods of zero gravity and glimpses of Earth from space, are expected to contribute significantly to carbon emissions. Rockets emit about 100 times more CO₂ per passenger than flights, and with Virgin Galactic anticipating 400 spaceflights per year, the carbon footprint of the space tourism industry could be significant.
Overall, while Blue Origin may have reduced carbon dioxide emissions through its fuel choice, the company's rocket launches and plans for space tourism still raise concerns about carbon emissions and other environmental impacts. Detailed modelling and a clear understanding of the industry's development are needed to fully assess the effects on the atmosphere and environment.
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Water vapour emissions
Blue Origin's rockets are fuelled by liquid oxygen and hydrogen, which produce water vapour but no carbon emissions during flight. Darin Toohey, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Colorado, stated that the main emissions from New Shepard would be "water and some minor combustion products, and virtually no CO2".
However, water vapour emissions from rockets can still have an impact on the environment. Water vapour in the higher parts of the atmosphere can contribute to global heating and the depletion of the ozone layer. Water vapour also produces stratospheric clouds that provide a surface for chemical reactions to occur at a faster pace. These clouds can impact the upper atmospheric layers known as the mesosphere and ionosphere. While the current low number of rocket launches means that water vapour emissions are not a significant concern, this could change as launch rates increase in the future.
Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket is designed to be reusable, reducing the need for resource-intensive rocket manufacturing and thus lowering overall carbon emissions. This reusability, combined with the lack of carbon emissions during flight, makes New Shepard among the cleanest launch vehicles in terms of tailpipe emissions.
While Blue Origin's rockets produce minimal carbon emissions, the overall environmental impact of rocket launches is still a subject of study. The combustion of fuel at high temperatures can convert nitrogen gas into nitrogen oxides, a potent greenhouse gas. Additionally, the production of fuel, as well as the manufacturing and transportation of rocket parts, can generate carbon emissions. As the frequency of rocket launches increases, the cumulative impact on the environment may become more significant.
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Comparison to other space tourism rockets
The Blue Origin rocket uses a Blue Engine 3 (BE-3) that runs on liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. While the company claims that this produces no harmful emissions, only water vapour, scientists have argued that water vapour can damage the environment. Water vapour produces stratospheric clouds that speed up the chemical reactions causing global warming. Furthermore, the water vapour forms clouds in the upper atmosphere that alter the climate.
Blue Origin's rockets produce far less carbon dioxide than Branson's VSS Unity, which uses a hybrid propellant of solid carbon-based fuel, hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), and a liquid oxidant, nitrous oxide. The combustion of these fuels produces carbon dioxide, soot, and water vapour. The nitrogen-based oxidant used by VSS Unity also generates nitrogen oxides, which contribute to air pollution closer to Earth.
Blue Origin rockets also produce less carbon dioxide than the SpaceX Falcon series of reusable rockets, which use liquid kerosene and liquid oxygen. The combustion of these fuels produces carbon dioxide, soot, and water vapour.
Despite the lower carbon dioxide emissions of Blue Origin rockets, the environmental impact of space tourism is a growing concern. Rockets emit 100 times more CO2 per passenger than flights, and the number of spaceflights is expected to increase significantly in the coming years. This could have a significant impact on the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and altering the climate.
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Environmental impact
The environmental impact of Blue Origin's rocket launches has been a subject of debate and scrutiny. While Blue Origin has claimed that its New Shepard rocket is environmentally friendly and produces no carbon emissions, this assertion has been contested by environmental experts and scientists.
Blue Origin's rockets, including the New Shepard, are powered by the Blue Engine 3 (BE-3), which uses liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen as propellants. According to the company, the combustion of these propellants produces only water vapour as a byproduct, with no carbon dioxide emissions. However, critics argue that water vapour can still have a significant environmental impact.
Darin Toohey, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Colorado, Boulder, noted that the main emissions from the Blue Origin rocket would indeed be water vapour and some minor combustion products, with negligible CO2 emissions. However, Toohey also acknowledged the potential environmental impact of water vapour in the upper atmosphere, where it can form clouds that influence climate patterns. This concern was echoed by environmental experts, who emphasised that water vapour is not entirely harmless and can contribute to climate change.
Additionally, Blue Origin's rockets have been criticised for emitting other pollutants, such as NOx, which can deplete the ozone layer. The ozone layer plays a crucial role in protecting life on Earth from harmful UV radiation. The depletion of the ozone layer would have far-reaching consequences for the planet's ecosystems and all living organisms. Furthermore, the combustion of BE-3 propellant produces large quantities of water vapour, which can accelerate the formation of stratospheric clouds. These clouds provide a surface for chemical reactions that contribute to global warming by trapping heat in the atmosphere.
The overall effect of rocket launches, including those by Blue Origin, on the atmosphere is complex and requires detailed modelling to fully understand. However, the emergence of space tourism and the potential for increased rocket launches by companies like Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic, and SpaceX, raises concerns about the cumulative environmental impact on the planet. There is a growing debate about the ethical implications of investing in space tourism while Earth continues to face significant challenges, such as climate change and environmental degradation.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the Blue Origin rocket uses a rocket engine, Blue Engine 3, that runs on liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, producing virtually no carbon dioxide. However, it did emit large quantities of other pollutants, including NOx and water vapour, which deplete the ozone layer and alter the climate.
Blue Origin claims to be greener than Branson's VSS Unity, which uses a solid carbon-based fuel that produces CO2, soot and water vapour. SpaceX's Falcon rockets also burn carbon-based fuel, producing greenhouse gases and air pollutants. However, the environmental consequences of space tourism as a whole remain to be seen, with some experts arguing that the emissions released during rocket launches cause more harm than those from commercial flights.
Some critics argue that the financial cost of space tourism could be better spent on solving the world's problems. Additionally, the water vapour emitted by Blue Origin forms clouds in the upper atmosphere, which can reflect sunlight back into space and alter the climate. Detailed modelling is needed to fully understand the impact of rocket launches on the atmosphere.
