{"id":680656,"date":"2025-07-19T19:25:19","date_gmt":"2025-07-19T16:25:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/rising-rocket-launches-linked-to-ozone-layer-thinning\/"},"modified":"2025-07-19T19:25:19","modified_gmt":"2025-07-19T16:25:19","slug":"rising-rocket-launches-linked-to-ozone-layer-thinning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/rising-rocket-launches-linked-to-ozone-layer-thinning\/","title":{"rendered":"Rising rocket launches linked to ozone layer thinning"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3dfaf9d9af9\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3dfaf9d9af9\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/rising-rocket-launches-linked-to-ozone-layer-thinning\/#A_long-underestimated_concern\" >A long-underestimated concern<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/rising-rocket-launches-linked-to-ozone-layer-thinning\/#With_rockets_too_the_choice_of_fuel_matters\" >With rockets, too, the choice of fuel matters<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/rising-rocket-launches-linked-to-ozone-layer-thinning\/#Re-entry_effects_are_still_uncertain\" >Re-entry effects are still uncertain<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/rising-rocket-launches-linked-to-ozone-layer-thinning\/#Needed_Foresight_and_coordinated_action\" >Needed: Foresight and coordinated action<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"article-gallery lightGallery\">\n<div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/tmb\/2025\/the-new-space-age-coul.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/scx2.b-cdn.net\/gfx\/news\/hires\/2025\/the-new-space-age-coul.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Falcon Heavy, a reusable heavy-lift launch vehicle from SpaceX, in flight for the first time on 6th February 2018. Credit: SpaceX \/ Keystone\">\n<figure class=\"article-img\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/800a\/2025\/the-new-space-age-coul.jpg\" alt=\"The new space age could thin the ozone layer\" title=\"Falcon Heavy, a reusable heavy-lift launch vehicle from SpaceX, in flight for the first time on 6th February 2018. Credit: SpaceX \/ Keystone\" width=\"800\" height=\"449\"\/><figcaption class=\"text-darken text-low-up text-truncate-js text-truncate mt-3\">\n                Falcon Heavy, a reusable heavy-lift launch vehicle from SpaceX, in flight for the first time on 6th February 2018. Credit: SpaceX \/ Keystone<br \/>\n            <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The rapid rise in global rocket launches could slow the recovery of the vital ozone layer, says Sandro Vattioni. The problem is being underestimated\u2014yet it could be mitigated by forward-looking, coordinated action.<\/p>\n<p>In recent years, the night sky has filled with satellites from rapidly expanding constellations in low Earth orbit, driven by a booming space industry. While this development brings exciting opportunities, it also raises new environmental concerns.<\/p>\n<p>Rocket launches and re-entering space debris release pollutants into the middle atmosphere, where they can damage the ozone layer which protects life on Earth from harmful UV radiation\u2014a growing concern that scientists are only beginning to understand.<\/p>\n<p>Research on the effects of rocket emissions on the ozone layer began over 30 years ago, but for a long time, these effects were considered small. This perception is starting to change as launch activity accelerates. In 2019, there were just 97 orbital space rocket launches globally. By 2024, that number had surged to 258, and is expected to keep rising rapidly.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_long-underestimated_concern\"><\/span>A long-underestimated concern<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In the middle and upper atmosphere, emissions from rockets and re-entering space debris can remain up to 100 times longer than emissions from ground-based sources due to the absence of removal processes such as cloud-driven washout. While most launches occur in the Northern Hemisphere, atmospheric circulation spreads these pollutants globally.<\/p>\n<p>To better understand the long-term impact of increasing rocket emissions, we collaborated with an international research team led by Laura Revell from the University of Canterbury. Using a chemistry climate model developed at ETH Zurich and the Physical Meteorological Observatory in Davos (PMOD\/WRC) we simulated how projected rocket emissions will affect the ozone layer by 2030. The study is <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41612-025-01098-6\" target=\"_blank\">published<\/a> in the journal <i>npj Climate and Atmospheric <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/sciencee\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"5\" title=\"Science\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Science<\/a><\/i>.<\/p>\n<p>Assuming a growth scenario with 2,040 annual launches in 2030\u2014about eight times the figure for 2024\u2014global average ozone thickness would decline by almost 0.3%, with seasonal reductions of up to 4% over Antarctica, where the ozone hole still forms each spring.<\/p>\n<p>While these numbers may seem modest at first sight, it&#8217;s important to remember that the ozone layer is still recovering from past damage caused by long-lived chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which were successfully banned by the Montreal Protocol in 1989. Yet today, the thickness of the global ozone layer is still roughly 2% below pre-industrial levels and is not expected to fully recover until around 2066. Our findings indicate that emissions from rockets\u2014currently unregulated\u2014could delay this recovery by years or decades, depending on rocket industry growth.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"With_rockets_too_the_choice_of_fuel_matters\"><\/span>With rockets, too, the choice of fuel matters<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The main contributors to ozone depletion from rocket emissions are gaseous chlorine and soot particles. Chlorine catalytically destroys ozone molecules, while soot particles warm the middle atmosphere, accelerating ozone-depleting chemical reactions.<\/p>\n<p>While most rocket propellants emit soot, chlorine emissions primarily come from solid rocket motors. Currently, the only propulsion systems that have a negligible effect on the ozone layer are those which use cryogenic fuels such as liquid oxygen and hydrogen. However, due to the technological complexity of handling cryogenic fuels, only about 6% of rocket launches currently use this <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/technology\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"4\" title=\"Technology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">technology<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Re-entry_effects_are_still_uncertain\"><\/span>Re-entry effects are still uncertain<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>We would like to mention that our study only considered emissions released from rockets during ascent into space. But this is only part of the picture. Most satellites in low Earth orbit re-enter the atmosphere at the end of their operational life, burning up in the process.<\/p>\n<p>This process generates additional pollutants, including various metal particles and nitrogen oxides, due to the intense heat generated upon re-entry. While nitrogen oxides are known to deplete ozone catalytically, metal particles may contribute to forming polar stratospheric clouds or serve as reaction surfaces themselves, both of which can intensify ozone loss.<\/p>\n<p>These re-entry effects are still poorly understood and not yet incorporated into most atmospheric models. From our point of view, it is clear that with increasing satellite constellations, re-entry emissions will become more frequent, and the total impact on the ozone layer is likely to be even higher than current estimates. Science is called upon to fill these gaps in our understanding.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ads w-100 my-4 article-main__more bg-light p-3 border\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-3\">\n        Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over <strong>100,000 subscribers<\/strong> who rely on Phys.org for daily insights.<br \/>\n        Sign up for our <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/sciencex.com\/help\/newsletter\/\" target=\"_blank\">free newsletter<\/a> and get updates on breakthroughs,<br \/>\n        innovations, and research that matter\u2014<strong>daily or weekly<\/strong>.\n    <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Needed_Foresight_and_coordinated_action\"><\/span>Needed: Foresight and coordinated action<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>But that alone will not be enough. The good <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">news<\/a>: We believe a launch industry that avoids ozone damaging effects is entirely possible: Monitoring rocket emissions, minimizing the usage of chlorine and soot-producing fuels, promoting alternative propulsion systems, and implementing the necessary and <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>ropriate regulations are all key to ensuring that the ozone layer continues its recovery.<sup>4<\/sup> This will take coordinated efforts between scientists, policymakers, and industry.<\/p>\n<p>The Montreal Protocol successfully demonstrated that even planetary-scale environmental threats can be addressed through global cooperation. As we enter a new era of space activity, the same kind of foresight and international coordination will be needed to avoid harmful effects on the ozone layer\u2014one of Earth&#8217;s most vital natural shields.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-main__more p-4\">\n<p><strong>More information:<\/strong><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLaura E. Revell et al, Near-future rocket launches could slow ozone recovery, <i>npj Climate and Atmospheric Science<\/i> (2025). <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" data-doi=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1038\/s41612-025-01098-6\" target=\"_blank\">DOI: 10.1038\/s41612-025-01098-6<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- print only --><\/p>\n<div class=\"d-none d-print-block\">\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<strong>Citation<\/strong>:<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRising rocket launches linked to ozone layer thinning (2025, July 19)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tretrieved 19 July 2025<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfrom https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2025-07-rocket-linked-ozone-layer-thinning.html\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script id=\"facebook-jssdk\" async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/sdk.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMN63nwsw68G3Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more Like this articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/sciencee\/\" target=\"_blank\" >Science category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2025-07-rocket-linked-ozone-layer-thinning.html\" target=\"_blank\" >Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Falcon Heavy, a reusable heavy-lift launch vehicle from SpaceX, in flight for the first time on 6th February 2018. Credit: SpaceX \/ Keystone The rapid rise in global rocket launches could slow the recovery of the vital ozone layer, says Sandro Vattioni. The problem is being underestimated\u2014yet it could be mitigated by forward-looking, coordinated action&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":680657,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/scx2.b-cdn.net\/gfx\/news\/hires\/2025\/the-new-space-age-coul.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-680656","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sciencee"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/680656","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=680656"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/680656\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/680657"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=680656"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=680656"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=680656"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}