Bloomberg Businessweek ICYMI: Falling Satellites and Atmospheric Risks
May 5, 2025
Sana Pashankar, a Bloomberg News space reporter, dives into the intriguing world of decommissioned satellites and their return to Earth. She discusses the soaring number of satellite launches and their impact on the atmosphere, particularly concerning hazardous space debris. Pashankar highlights the urgent need for regulations to protect the ozone layer and explores the booming satellite industry projected to hit $108 billion by 2035. She emphasizes the importance of managing environmental risks from rocket launches and satellite re-entries.
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Satellite Reentry Risks
- Thousands of satellites are launched yearly, designed to burn up in the atmosphere upon end of life.
- These burnups release particles that risk damaging the ozone layer, vital for life on Earth.
Exploding Satellite Numbers
- The number of satellites will soon explode from about 12,000 to up to 100,000.
- This dramatic increase means many more will reenter and affect the upper atmosphere chemically.
Atmospheric Impact of Satellite Debris
- Satellite disintegration releases metals like aluminum into the atmosphere.
- These particles may contribute to ozone layer depletion, though research is ongoing.