Pollution of the Earth’s Atmosphere and Surface
In addition, the large number of satellites in LEO can cause uncontrollable successive collisions that will scatter space debris around LEO. This would prevent humans from launching new rockets.
This possibility is known as Kessler syndrome, and many astronomers worry that it will prevent humanity from becoming a multiplanetary species if we can’t control space debris.
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Launching satellites with rockets can cause carbon pollution in the Earth’s atmosphere. The problem is, the average rocket launch releases between 220 and 330 tons (200 to 300 metric tons) of carbon into Earth’s atmosphere.
In comparison, the average long-haul commercial flight releases about 2 to 3 tons (1.8 to 2.7 metric tons) of carbon per passenger, and there are tens of millions of flights each year.
Satellite launches don’t just cause environmental problems. The satellite itself can also damage Earth’s atmosphere.
When satellites fall out of orbit and re-enter Earth’s atmosphere, they also release chemicals into the atmosphere, Boley said.
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