A rapidly -decomposition of SPACEX’s Starship Megarocket, which was raining over the Caribbean in the middle of January, was a very harmful air in the upper level of the earth. It may have released pollution.
According to the astronomer and Jonathan McDawell, an expert in Space debris, the upper part of the rocket exploded at an altitude of about 90 miles (146 km) and weighed about 85 tons without a propulsion. According to the University of London University of London’s Cancer Researcher Connor Barker, it may have returned to the earth from the atmosphere and produced 45.5 tons of metal oxides and 40 tons of nitrogen oxides. In particular, nitrogen oxides are known for damaging the protected ozone layer of the earth.
Barker, who recently released the rocket emissions and pollutants from the Nature magazine satellite re -entry, posted an estimate to the Linkedin profile immediately after the accident. However, he emailed to Space.com, emphasizing that the numbers were roughly estimated, rather than accurately calculating the impact of the accident.
However, Barker’s Linkedin Post states that the amount of metal pollution that may be generated in the accident is generated by one -third of the MET stone substance that burns out every year. I did it.
It is difficult to convey how much pollution of the spaceship in a higher atmosphere. For example, scientists do not know how much Megarocket’s large amount has burned out and how much has fallen to the earth.
MCDOWELL told Space.com that it was highly likely that many tons were scattered into the sea.
Fortunately, the spacecraft upper stage is made of stainless steel, not an aluminum like satellite, but not the upper stage of many other rockets, including SpaceX Falcon 9. The incineration of aluminum is worried about many scientists. When aluminum burning at a high temperature while the satellite is re -entering, aluminum oxide or alumina is produced. Alumina is a white powdered substance that is known to damage ozone and may change the reflective properties of the earth’s atmosphere.
In recent years, the number of satellites around the earth and the number of re -enrollment in the atmosphere have increased rapidly. So, the amount of alumina released to the middle and upper stratumar versuses, otherwise, the untouched intermediate layer of the atmosphere is increasing rapidly. Scientists are concerned about scientists about the air pollution between Mesosfia and the upper level. The high altitude that occurs means that pollutants remain in the atmosphere for a long time.
Scientists believe that the amount of aluminum from the incinerated satellite is already approaching from the collapse of natural spatema rocks such as asteroids and MET stones, including small amounts of aluminum. 。 The amount of nitrogen oxides produced during re -entry is also approaching what is generated by natural cosmic.
Nitrogen oxides occur as fragments of cosmic and space debris, move at a super -sound, and when they fall to the earth, they compress the surrounding air. The atoms of nitrogen are heated to react with oxygen, creating harmful oxides.
Due to the increase in the launch of the rocket, the growth of the satellite fleet, and the frequency of subsequent re -entry, the concentration of the damaged gas and particles may rise quickly. Pollutants can prevent the recovery of the ozone layer of the planet, and may worsen the damage caused by ozone depletions used in aerosols spray and refrigerators in the past. An air pollution from the incinerated satellite can change how much heat the earth will retain, and can cause severe consequences to the global climate.
