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last mo.

Climate Change Threatens Space Sustainability by Increasing Orbital Debris

A new study reveals that greenhouse gas emissions are reducing the Earth's atmospheric drag, allowing space debris to linger and limiting the capacity for satellites in low Earth orbit.

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Representational image
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Captured by astronaut Don Pettit aboard the International Space Station (ISS), this long-exposure photograph showcases Earth's city lights, the upper atmosphere's airglow, and streaked stars. The bright flashes at the center are reflections of sunlight from SpaceX's Starlink satellites in low-Earth orbit.

Overview

  • Greenhouse gas emissions are cooling and contracting Earth's upper atmosphere, reducing the drag that naturally removes space debris.
  • The study predicts a 50-66% reduction in the satellite carrying capacity of low Earth orbit by 2100 under high emissions scenarios.
  • Millions of pieces of space debris, ranging in size from tiny fragments to bus-sized objects, pose collision risks to active satellites.
  • The growing number of satellites, particularly from megaconstellations like SpaceX's Starlink, is compounding the overcrowding of orbital regions.
  • Researchers emphasize the need for emission reductions and active debris removal to maintain the long-term sustainability of Earth's orbital space.