Controversial paper claims satellite 'megaconstellations' like SpaceX's could weaken Earth's magnetic field and cause 'atmospheric stripping.' Shou...

[admin]

A theoretical new paper argues that atmospheric metal pollution from falling space junk could create an invisible conductive shield around our planet that might weaken our magnetosphere. However, other experts are skeptical of this idea.

Controversial paper claims satellite 'megaconstellations' like SpaceX's could weaken Earth's magnetic field and cause 'atmospheric stripping.' Shou... : Read more

 

[Bruzote]

The topic of geophysical effects of too many satellites burning up is close to another topic that also has troubled me. I have seen zero mention of how 1000s of rocket launches per year will affect the upper atmosphere. The rocket exhaust should be concerning. Near space is quite thin. Dispersing rocket exhaust throughout the mesosphere and higher should be examined before we embark on a crazy journey. We know of cosmic debris entering the atmosphere (e.g., from micrometeors), but how does that burden differ in its effects compared to rocket plumes stretching from the tropopause to the exosphere? I have raised this multiple times in comment forums, but (unsurprisingly) a single commenter like myself doesn't have the clout to force a substantial public review of the topic.