(AP) – Climate change is already creating issues here on Earth, but a new study reveals it could soon complicate things in space too.
Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that global warming, caused mainly by the burning of fossil fuels, might reduce the space available for satellites in low Earth orbit by as much as 82% by the end of the century. This change hinges on how much carbon pollution we produce. As climate change progresses, the natural processes that help clean up space debris will struggle to keep up.
On Earth, greenhouse gases warm the surface but also cool the upper atmosphere where satellites operate. This cooling effect makes the upper atmosphere less dense. Normally, the density helps drag space debris down towards Earth, causing it to burn up in the atmosphere before it can cause any harm. However, with a cooler and less dense atmosphere, this cleaning process becomes less effective, leading to increased space clutter, according to the study published in the journal Nature Sustainability.
“We depend on the atmosphere to help remove our space debris. Without it, we’re left with a lot of trash up there,” said Will Parker, an astrodynamics researcher at MIT and lead author of the study. “That trash includes millions of pieces of leftover satellites and other debris from past missions.”
Currently, approximately 11,905 satellites orbit Earth, with about 7,356 in low Earth orbit. These satellites are essential for communication, navigation, weather forecasting, and monitoring various environmental and security aspects.
Parker noted that people used to think space was vast and limitless, allowing for more freedom in how we treated it. However, that mindset is changing. A notable event underscoring the risks of space debris was a collision of two satellites in 2009, which scattered thousands of debris fragments. NASA’s recent measurements confirm that drag in the upper atmosphere is indeed decreasing, making climate change a significant factor to consider.
Ingrid Cnossen, a space weather scientist at the British Antarctic Survey, echoed Parker’s concerns in an email, saying the study highlights the importance of understanding climate impacts on space. “We need to be mindful of these changes to ensure space remains sustainable for all activities,” she added.
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Climate change,Massachusetts Institute of Technology,Earth,satellites,greenhouse effect,atmosphere,Nature Sustainability
