Climate change is a problem for satellites. It lets the upper atmosphere shrink, which allows space junk to circle in orbit longer and increases the risk of collisions.
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (with) have found that climate change endanger satellites in the flash of earth. A new study in Nature Sustainability shows that rising CO2 emissions let the upper atmosphere shrink. This reduces atmospheric resistance, so that space junk stays in orbit longer and the risk of collisions increases.
The results indicate that the number of safely operating satellites will reduce. According to the calculations of the co-researchers, the capacity for stable orbits could decrease by 50 to 66 percent by 2100. This would have significant consequences for communication networks, weather forecasts and scientific missions.
Why climate change endangered satellites
The thermosphere, in which many satellites and the international space station (ISS) are located, stretches and extends in a natural 11-year cycle according to solar activity. However, due to the influence of greenhouse gases, this layer cools down in the long term and continues to shrink.
Since the atmosphere is diluted, old satellites and debris remain in the orbit longer, instead of leaving and burning into deeper layers. This leads to a steady increase in unused satellites and space waste that blocks valuable orbits and endangers future space projects.
Collisions and overcrowded orbits as a risk
Climate change threatens satellites not only by the extended lifespan of debris, but also by the increasing risk of clashes. Currently, over 10,000 active satellites in low earth orbit are currently being used for the Internet, navigation and weather services.
More satellites have been started in the past five years than in the entire 60 years before. Megakonstellen such as SpaceX ‘Starlink have tightened the situation. Rising emissions could overfill the orbits so much that there is a cascade effect: collisions create more and more debris, which in turn cause new clashes. In the worst case, entire areas of the low earth ornament could become unusable.
Measures against the threat
Since climate change endangers satellites in the long term, scientists emphasize the need to limit greenhouse gas emissions. If the upper atmosphere contracts, debris could remain in orbit for decades or even centuries and significantly impair future space missions.
The research results show that climate protection measures are decisive not only on earth, but also for the sustainable use of space. In order to continue to minimize the risk, new technologies for removal and stricter regulations for satellite starts could also be necessary.
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