Climate change could reduce usable space for satellites in Earth’s orbit
This image depicts a stylized Earth with one side lush and green, symbolizing a healthy environment, and the other side parched and brown, representing the impact of climate change. (Adobe Stock Photo)
A new study conducted in the United States reveals that climate change could lead to a reduction in usable space for satellites in Earth’s orbit.
Impact of climate change on Earth’s orbit
Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have examined the effect of climate change on Earth’s orbit.
The study suggests that as global warming continues due to the burning of coal, oil, and gas, the usable space for satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) could decrease by 60 to 82 percent by the end of the century, driven by carbon pollution.
Role of space debris and atmospheric cooling
The researchers pointed out that the increase in space debris could be linked to this phenomenon. The greenhouse effect, which warms the air near Earth’s surface, also has an impact on the upper layers of the atmosphere where satellites in low Earth orbit operate.
This cooling effect leads to a decrease in atmospheric density, which, in turn, reduces drag on the millions of pieces of human-made debris and satellite fragments.
Less drag means more space debris in orbit
The reduction in drag could cause space debris to linger in Earth’s orbit longer, potentially increasing the likelihood of collisions. The debris could be drawn toward Earth, where it may burn up upon re-entry.
However, a cooler and less dense upper atmosphere could result in less space clearing, ultimately leading to a more crowded space environment.
The findings of this study, which were published in Nature Sustainability, suggest that the process of cooling and reducing atmospheric density could significantly change the dynamics of space exploration, leading to a busier and more cluttered orbital environment.
