Launching Satellites: What Happens When They Come Back to Earth?

Thousands of satellites orbit our planet, and many of them will eventually return to Earth. As we launch more into low Earth orbit (LEO), we’re facing a pressing question: What happens when they reach the end of their life? The answer is becoming clearer, and it’s raising concerns.

In 2024, residents in Saskatchewan, Canada, experienced a shocking incident when debris from SpaceX satellites crashed onto their farmland. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but it highlighted a worrying reality: these satellites don’t always burn up completely upon reentry. Astronomer Samantha Lawler, who assisted affected farmers, pointed out that our international space laws are outdated, not having changed significantly since the Apollo missions.

While most satellites are designed to incinerate during atmospheric reentry, this process doesn’t eliminate their materials. Instead, they turn into metal vapor, which is released into the atmosphere. This vapor, primarily made of aluminum and lithium, can contribute to environmental pollution. Studies suggest that as satellite launches increase, this metal vapor could soon rise dramatically, potentially surpassing natural rates by 25 times or more.

The scale of satellite launches has changed drastically. SpaceX’s Starlink network alone plans to deploy up to 42,000 satellites over several years. Each one has a life span of around five years, leading to significant concerns about the environmental costs associated with their end-of-life destruction.

Not all satellite debris completely burns up. Some harder components survive the descent and have fallen in places ranging from Poland to Kenya to North Carolina. Recently, a Soviet-era spacecraft called Kosmos 482 reentered and crashed into the Indian Ocean, renewing discussions about the risks from falling debris. While only one Starlink fragment has been officially recovered to date, many more may have landed unnoticed. According to recent analyses, there’s a 10% chance of a human casualty from the reentry of some of the more than 2,000 rocket bodies still in orbit over the next ten years.

Leave inactive satellites in orbit, and we create a dangerous environment. These defunct objects can travel at speeds around 16,000 mph (or 25,000 km/h). At such high speeds, collisions can generate clouds of debris, leading to more risks for operational satellites. In late 2024, Starlink carried out a collision avoidance maneuver every two minutes to prevent such accidents. With many more satellites now in orbit, the situation is critical. Experts warn that a solar flare or a malfunction could compromise these systems, causing a disaster.

Using space wisely is essential. The area around Earth is limited, and with plans for tens of thousands more satellites, we must rethink how we use it. Instead of just launching more satellites, we need to create long-lasting ones that can be adjusted during operation and ensure safe reentry plans to protect people and ecosystems. Samantha Lawler emphasizes the need for urgent action. Without better regulations or limits from the satellite companies, we risk damaging our atmosphere and jeopardizing Earth’s future exploration of space.

As this issue escalates, public awareness is rising, and social media discussions are heating up. Many users express their concerns about space debris and its potential consequences. For example, tweets about falling debris often garner significant attention, showing that people are beginning to recognize the risks associated with our growing reliance on space technology.

As we venture further into the universe, finding a responsible balance in satellite deployment will be crucial for the safety of our planet and future explorations. For further details on the implications of satellite pollution, check out this Live Science article.

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