Satellite boom threatens climate and raises space‑debris risks

Around 15,000 active satellites now orbit Earth and launches are accelerating, with 4,500 objects sent to space in 2025 – a 28 % yearly increase projected for megaconstellations. Researchers from University College London report that kerosene‑fuelled rockets deposit black carbon soot high in the atmosphere; the soot’s climate impact is about 540 times stronger than that of other anthropogenic sources. They warn that this unregulated “geo‑engineering experiment” could account for up to 42 % of the space sector’s climate effect by the end of the decade and may also marginally damage the ozone layer.

A separate study highlights a growing space‑debris problem: modern satellite materials such as carbon‑fiber composites survive re‑entry, leaving hazardous fragments on the ground. The researchers propose a “Design for Demise” approach, using heat‑sensitive materials that fully disintegrate during re‑entry to prevent persistent debris. Both studies call for tighter regulation and redesign of launch practices to mitigate long‑term environmental and safety risks.