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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Quick takeaways
- The surge in satellite launches raises significant risks of collisions and space debris that could threaten both operational satellites and Earth.
- The environmental impact of deorbiting satellites, including the release of materials harmful to the ozone layer, necessitates further research and regulatory oversight.
Deep dives
The Growing Problem of Space Debris
The increasing number of satellites launched into orbit poses significant risks associated with space debris. As companies, notably in satellite internet services, send up more units, the potential for collisions and subsequent debris generation rises dramatically. This situation is compounded by the projected increase in satellites, which could reach between 60,000 to 100,000 within the next five years. Such proliferation raises concerns about the debris’s ability to travel at high speeds, which could result in dangerous impacts both on operating satellites and potentially on Earth.
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