Space Travel Will Absolutely Gut the Environment, Scientists Warn

Even though space travel is one of the most exciting frontiers in science, it comes at a significant cost.

The damage space travel may do to the environment may no longer be as insignificant as was previously thought.

A new study by a team of researchers has found that if we continue on our current course, projected levels of increased spaceflight would damage the ozone and increase annual temperatures in the stratosphere by up to four degrees.

Black carbon, also known as soot, which absorbs sunlight and retains heat, is the most problematic leftover from rocket launches. A baseline of 1,000 tons of stuff is released annually by rockets used in spaceflight.

Assuming a tenfold increase in hydrocarbon fueled launches within the next 20 years, the researchers estimate that the resulting increase in temperature could cause changes in atmospheric circulation and reductions of the ozone in the north.

Changes in temperature and circulation can affect the ozone, which is located in the top of the atmosphere. You have a recipe for disaster if you combine that with the fact that the stratosphere is sensitive to black carbon.

According to a press release, "We need to learn more about the potential impact of hydrocarbon burning engines on the stratosphere and on the climate at the surface of the Earth." We should be able to better understand the effects of different rocket types on climate and ozone with further research.

The only form of aerosol pollution above the troposphere where it can do the most damage to the ozone is space flight emissions.

Although we're still sitting at around 1,000 tons of rocket soot per year, the projected 10,000 tons by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration doesn't seem very far away. Even though it is possible that we develop cleaner methods of space travel, will that be enough to offset the projected industry growth?

While our sights are set on space tourism and landing humans on the Moon, we might need to consider if it is worth the potential damage to our planet.

Ozone layer may be damaged by increased space travel.

It is shocking that rocket launches are bad for the environment.