Climate change is causing Earth’s atmosphere to shrink, affecting the thermosphere, which could lead to space debris remaining in orbit longer. A recent study from MIT and the University of Birmingham discusses how increased greenhouse gases contribute to cooling and contraction of the thermosphere. This contraction results in reduced mass density, causing significant drag on objects in low Earth orbit. The implications include potential Kessler syndrome, where collisions between space debris become more frequent, leading to an accumulation of space junk that may render some orbits unusable.
Among the molecules found in the Thermosphere is Carbon Dioxide (CO 2) which conducts heat that from lower down in the atmosphere then radiates it outwards.
A consequence of cooling is a contraction of the global thermosphere, leading to reductions in mass density at constant altitude over time.
It's also enough draft to slow space junk closer so it falls into denser parts of the atmosphere that vaporizes it.
A less dense Thermosphere, the authors warn, means more space junk orbiting for longer and the possibility of Kessler syndrome instability.
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