The Environmental Impact of Rocket Launches: How SpaceX and Others are Contributing to Climate Change
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Rocket and Environmental Concerns: A Closer Look
SpaceX has made a name for itself with its Falcon 9 rocket, which has become a workhorse in the global space fleet with 217 flights since 2010. However, as impressive as the Falcon 9 may be, there are growing concerns about its environmental impact.
The Falcon 9 uses a fuel mixture of liquid oxygen and kerosene, with the burning kerosene creating black soot that is injected directly into the stratosphere. This soot can linger for up to five years, contributing to climate change, damaging the ozone layer, and exposing the planet to harmful UV radiation.
A recent study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) found that global rocket launches inject about 1,000 tons of soot into the upper atmosphere each year. As the industry continues to expand, this number is expected to increase, potentially exposing people in the Northern Hemisphere to higher levels of harmful UV radiation.
While rocket launches are small contributors to overall atmospheric pollutants compared to the aviation industry, the long-lasting effects of soot in the stratosphere make them a cause for concern. The NOAA report highlights that a single passenger aboard a rocket is responsible for 100 times more climate-changing pollution than a passenger aboard an airplane.
The type of fuel used in rockets can make a difference in their environmental impact. SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft, for example, uses methane instead of kerosene, which burns cleaner and produces less black soot. Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket burns liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen, emitting only water vapor as exhaust.
Despite these alternatives, the private rocket industry and other space powers like China, India, and the United Arab Emirates show no signs of slowing down their launch schedules or reducing their pollution levels. NASA’s Space Launch System moon rocket, for instance, produces ozone-damaging pollutants from its solid fuel engines.
As the space industry continues to grow, it is essential to consider the environmental consequences of increased rocket launches. While space exploration offers many benefits, it is crucial to find a balance between progress and environmental sustainability to ensure that the climate does not pay the price for our advancements in space technology.