Climate change is causing extreme weather events with more intensity than ever before, highlighting the catastrophic effects of this global issue. In addition to the known consequences, a new threat has been identified that could hinder the Earth’s atmosphere from healing itself: satellite internet.
Companies like Elon Musk’s Starlink are rapidly expanding their satellite internet networks through the construction of ‘megaconstellations’. However, scientists are concerned that the activities associated with launching and maintaining these satellites could result in “significant ozone depletion”.
A study published in Geophysical Research Letters by researchers from the University of Southern California shed light on this new threat. They warned that the harmful substances deposited in the Earth’s atmosphere by satellites could persist for “decades”, posing a long-term risk to the environment.
When satellites reach the end of their operational lives, they re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere and burn up. This process, known to generate aluminum oxides as a byproduct, could be hazardous. These aluminum oxides act as catalysts for chlorine activation, which leads to ozone depletion in the stratosphere.
The researchers revealed that a typical satellite could produce around 30 kg of aluminum oxide nanoparticles upon re-entry, which could linger in the atmosphere for extended periods. In the case of ‘megaconstellations’, the annual release of aluminum oxide compounds from re-entering satellites could skyrocket to 360 metric tonnes, a significant increase over previous years.
Given the potential impact of satellite re-entries on ozone levels, the study authors emphasized the importance of further exploration into this topic. As re-entry rates continue to rise, understanding and addressing the concerns raised in the study will be crucial in protecting the environment.