Starlink Satellites Threaten Ozone Layer!

Starlink provides mobile broadband internet services around the world by sending satellites or artificial satellites into low Earth orbit. However, scientists have said that due to the various satellites sent by Starlink, owned by Elon Musk, the ozone layer in the Earth’s atmosphere is being stressed. Last January, about 120 Starlink satellites entered the Earth’s atmosphere and burned up. This created an artificial meteor shower. This meteor shower was seen from different parts of the world.

Satellite re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere can pose a serious threat to the environment. And so, expressing concern about the re-entry of satellites into the mesosphere of the atmosphere, scientists have said that satellites are putting pressure on the stratosphere, which contains the Earth’s protective ozone layer. The aluminum oxide particles from these satellites can damage the ozone layer in the long term.

When the satellites enter the atmosphere and burn up, many of the metals in the satellites are released. Starlink satellites also contain a large amount of aluminum and the satellites are effective for about five years. In the meantime, almost all of the 60 satellites sent in May 2019 are re-entering the atmosphere.

According to the European Space Agency (ESA), there are more than 28,000 objects in space, most of which are in low orbit. About 8,000 Starlink satellites have been launched in the past few years. Another 12,000 Starlink satellites are scheduled to be sent. On the other hand, other companies, including Amazon, plan to send about 13,000 satellites.

These satellites usually orbit 550 to 1,200 kilometers above the Earth. When their time is up, these satellites are pulled into the Earth’s atmosphere. During re-entry, these satellites travel at a speed of about 27,000 kilometers per hour. The collision of the satellite with the dense atmosphere at this high speed generates tremendous heat. As a result, even if the satellite is destroyed, the components evaporate and damage the ozone layer of the atmosphere.

During re-entry into the atmosphere, various metals in the satellite undergo chemical transformations. Aluminum then creates new hazards. This element typically makes up about 40 percent of a satellite’s mass. Studies have shown that a typical Starlink satellite weighs about 250 kg. Accordingly, about 30 kg of aluminum oxide particles are deposited in the atmosphere due to one Starlink satellite.