Space Pollution: Starlink Satellites Contaminate Atmosphere, But US Blocks Research

The numerous reentries of Starlink satellites and other nascent megaconstellations are accumulating metals never seen before in the stratosphere. The United States government has just stopped one of the most intriguing research on space pollution. A decision that, according to some suspicious voices, is advantageous for the commercial interests of Elon Musk.

Trump's latest move

As the budget awaits congressional approval, the White House is seeking to eliminate funding for two key research projects on pollution from rockets and satellites. The plan is part of a series of drastic cuts that, along with NASA, have been made to the science arm of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Research Office, NOAA.

Funding Cuts: Research in Danger

As part of the budget, the White House eliminated funding for critical NOAA and NASA projects designed to study atmospheric contamination from rockets and satellites. The move comes after a troubling NOAA discovery in late 2023: Analysis of sulfuric acid particles collected by NASA's WB-57 aircraft over Alaska and the Midwest revealed a buildup of metals such as lithium, aluminum, copper, niobium, and hafnium. These elements, typical of the space industry and absent in nature, could damage the ozone layer and affect the climate. Without funding, however, research risks coming to a halt, leaving the problem unsolved.

SpaceX and the Impact of Satellites

The phenomenon is linked to the increase in satellite reentries, particularly those of Starlink, operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX. With 8.400 satellites launched and 1.080 already reentry, SpaceX dominates 80% of global launches. Every five years, these satellites vaporize in the atmosphere during reentry, releasing a continuous flow of metals. Projects like Amazon's Kuiper could bring the total number of satellites to 100.000, worsening the problem. Experts fear a permanent alteration of the atmosphere, but without adequate studies, the impact remains a mystery. Meanwhile, the scientific community is looking to other countries to continue their investigations, while doubts grow: what interests are hidden behind these cuts?