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Environmental Impacts of Satellites - Coggle Diagram
Environmental Impacts of Satellites
Satellite Decay
Satellite decay is the gradual loss of altitude of an orbiting object, primarily caused by atmospheric drag in Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
Atmospheric Reentry
Release of Metal Oxides
Weather Alteration
Alters Cloud Condensation Nuclei
Suppressed Precipitation
General Atmospheric Pollution
Just- well- pollution.
Depletion of the ozone layer
Climate Change
Released particles, such as black carbon can alter incoming sunlight and affect stratospheric circulation (or earths climate in general)
This heats up the atmosphere as black carbon particles absorb sunlight
The circulation’s role is to gather ozone that is chemically created over the tropics and then carry it poleward, stockpiling it in the mid-latitudes and polar regions.
Scientists do not know the effects of this
incomplete burning of organic (carbon-containing) materials,
Aluminum oxides spark chemical reactions that destroy stratospheric ozone
Cause
Ablation from heat during reentry
Types of metal oxides released
LIthium
Data
90% of satellites and spent upper stages reentering from orbit are vaporized; lower stages also ablate but to a lesser degree
10% of the aerosol particles in the stratosphere contain aluminum and other metals
More than 90% of the lithium, copper, and lead are in particles with signatures of spacecraft reentry
In 2022, reentering satellites increased aluminum in the atmosphere by 29.5% over natural levels
Copper
Lead
Aluminium
Acts as catalysts that deplete the ozone layer
bruh can it be removed or smth
Silver
Niobium
Hafnium
Cause?
Controlled
End-of Life Disposal
Debris Mitigation
Uncontrolled
Atmospheric Drag
Force put on an object by the atmosphere surrounding it
Satellites most affected
LEO (below 2,000 km)
VLEO (100-450km)
Satellites in VLEO: (to-do)
Note: VLEO could potentially be a replacement when LEO is no longer viable due to risks of Kessler Syndrome
Which is not only controversal but also stupid
This is due to how there is higher atmospheric density in lower altitudes
Orbital Congestion
The dangerous overcrowding of Earth's orbits primarily LEO and GEO by an increasing number of active satellites, defunct spacecraft, and debris
Cause
Low Number of Maneuvarable Satellites
Increased risk of collision
Increased risk of debric
Commercialization of the satellite industry
Proliferation of Smallsats
Minimal environmental consideration
Proliferation of Smallsats
Cluttering of Space Objects
Kessler Syndrome
Rely on natural deorbit
Increased risk of debris
Generally short missions
Frequent replacement
Increased space debris
Increased atmospheric reentry emmisions
More rocket launches
Higher rocket emmisions
More reentry pollution
Higher environmental impact from mineral extraction process
Interference in the Ionosphere
Interference in the thermosphere and meosphere