Climate change isn’t just affecting our planet; it’s also causing problems in space. A recent study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) shows that global warming could significantly reduce the amount of usable space for satellites in low Earth orbit. By the end of this century, the available space may shrink by as much as 82%, depending on carbon emissions.
The issue arises because climate change alters the upper atmosphere. As greenhouse gases warm the air below, they cool the upper atmosphere, making it less dense. This reduction in density decreases the drag that keeps space junk from floating endlessly. Normally, the drag pulls debris back toward Earth, where it burns up. However, with a cooler and less dense atmosphere, this natural cleanup process becomes less effective, leading to increased congestion in orbit.
Will Parker, who led the study, emphasized how reliant we are on this atmospheric drag. Without it, space junk continues to accumulate. Parker describes the debris as “trash” and “garbage,” and it’s a significant concern; there are millions of pieces of space junk already circling our planet.
Circling Earth are countless pieces of debris, some as small as a fraction of an inch, while larger bits can collide with the same force as a bullet. Current estimates say there are over 11,000 satellites in orbit, with about 7,300 in low Earth orbit. These satellites are vital for everything from communication to weather forecasting and monitoring environmental issues.
In the past, it was easy to think of space as vast and limitless, but that’s changing. The 2009 collision of two satellites created thousands of new debris pieces, serving as a wake-up call about the risks in our orbits. NASA has measured a decrease in atmospheric drag, revealing that climate change is not just a ground-level issue but an orbital one as well.
The situation is serious. As greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, experts warn that the density of the atmosphere at 250 miles above Earth is decreasing by about 2% each decade. This trend is troubling for the future of satellites and space debris management. Ingrid Cnossen, a space weather scientist, notes that scientists must understand climate change’s impact on orbital conditions to ensure the long-term sustainability of our satellite systems.
Check out this related article: NASA Restructures: What the Closure of Two Departments and the Chief Scientist’s Office Means for the Future of Space Exploration
Source linkSpace exploration, Climate change, Aerospace technology, General news, National, Climate and environment, Associated Press, Ingrid Cnossen, Environmental science, Science, Seth Borenstein, Planets, World news, Will Parker, Climate, World News
