With the growing space launches, the environment is suffering from increasing pollution. Scientists have raised warnings amid the rocket launches. Experts suggest the formation of a new international framework to address the pollution caused by such space activities.
Researchers at University College London (UCL), led by Professor Eloise Marais, have kept an eye on the rocket launches since 2020. They found a rapid increase in the number of space launches with 259 missions recorded in 2024, as compared to 233 recorded in 2023. The launches collectively used 153,000 tonnes of fuel, releasing a blend of harmful substances and chemicals into the environment.
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Impact of Rocket Launches on Environment
Professor Marais termed the situation ‘uncharted territory’ for humanity. She mentioned that even though the rockets produce less soot as compared to other industries, the effect of their emission is far worse. The research highlights that during the rocket launches, the soot released damages the environment 500 times greater than the aviation soot because it is directly emitted into the stratosphere. There, the soot stays for a longer period of time and is especially effective in trapping heat, adding to global warming.
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The study also suggests that the existing space laws were made decades ago and do not address today’s environmental crisis. There is an urgent need to focus on these laws amid the expanding space technology, satellite launches, and space tourism.
Scientists have called for regulations in space activities to regulate the crisis and help safeguard both Earth’s atmosphere and the future of space exploration.
