Atmospheric pollution caused by space junk could be a huge problem
New Scientist
February 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A recent incident involving a Falcon 9 rocket stage re-entering the atmosphere over Europe has highlighted a growing concern: space debris causing atmospheric pollution. The rocket's upper stage, which was supposed to splash down in the Pacific Ocean for reuse, lost control due to engine failure and disintegrated over the North Atlantic in February 2025. This event released vaporized metals like lithium into the atmosphere, creating a visible plume that spread across Europe. Scientists detected a significant spike in lithium levels using lidar technology, marking the first study linking high-altitude pollution directly to a spacecraft re-entry.
The environmental impact of such events is concerning. Tiny metal particles from disintegrated rockets can catalyze ozone destruction and form stratospheric clouds, potentially exacerbating climate change. For instance, vaporized aluminum reacts with oxygen to form aluminum oxide, which facilitates the breakdown of ozone molecules. Researchers estimate that spacecraft burn-up releases approximately 1000 tonnes of aluminum oxide annually, a figure expected to rise as space debris increases. This could threaten the shrinking southern hemisphere ozone hole, already recovering due to global efforts to phase out ozone-depleting refrigerants.
The issue is particularly relevant as commercial space launches proliferate, with companies like SpaceX and Amazon planning extensive satellite constellations. With over 14,500 satellites currently in orbit and plans for thousands more, the amount of space debris falling back into the atmosphere could surge by 50 times in a decade. This pollution not only risks undoing progress on ozone layer recovery but also contributes to global warming through the formation of heat-trapping cirrus clouds.
This emerging problem underscores the need for further research and regulation. While the environmental impact from space debris is still being studied, its potential effects on stratospheric chemistry and climate systems highlight the urgent need to address
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Originally published on New Scientist on 2/19/2026