SpaceX rocket fireball linked to plume of polluting lithium

5 days ago

SpaceX rocket failure in February 2025 caused a fireball over western Europe and released lithium into the atmosphere.
Scientists detected a 10-fold increase in lithium levels at 100km above Earth from the rocket debris.
The uncontrolled re-entry of the Falcon 9 rocket introduced 30kg of lithium, far exceeding natural meteor contributions.
Concerns raised about aluminium and aluminium oxides from space debris interacting with the ozone layer.
Potential long-term impacts on atmospheric aerosols and climate moderation are still unknown.
Researchers compare the situation to past pollution from chlorofluorocarbons that damaged the ozone layer.
SpaceX plans to launch one million satellites, increasing risks of atmospheric pollution from space debris.
Scientists call for updated space regulations to address emerging issues like atmospheric pollution and orbital congestion.
Nearly 30,000 pieces of space debris currently pose collision risks to spacecraft and the ISS.
International efforts to regulate space commerce lag behind the rapid expansion of private space activities.

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