T-Minus Space Daily: The Environmental Cost of the Space Race Hosted by N2K Networks | Release Date: December 10, 2024

Episode Overview

In this compelling episode of T-Minus Space Daily, host Maria Varmazas delves into the pressing issue of the environmental implications arising from the burgeoning space race. Titled "The Environmental Cost of the Space Race," the episode features an in-depth interview with renowned astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell, who co-authored a pivotal paper assessing the impact of rocket launches and satellite reentries on atmospheric pollution and CO₂ emissions.

Contract News Briefing

Maria begins the episode with a comprehensive briefing on recent significant contracts within the space industry:

• Viasat's $568 Million GSA IDIQ Contract: Viasat has secured a five-year sole-source, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract from the U.S. General Services Administration. This extension, building on a 2019 IDIQ, aims to advance technologies essential for U.S. warfighters, including communications, security, intelligence, and operations. The contract emphasizes rapid migration of command control systems, resilient networking, cybersecurity, and broadband satellite communications.

• Redwire's $45 Million AFRL Contract: Redwire has been awarded a five-year cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to develop prototype software and hardware for mission-critical technologies supporting the Air Force Research Laboratory's Space Vehicle Directorate. This collaboration focuses on equipping the joint warfighter with agile, resilient, and affordable space mission capabilities.

• Elyria's Selection by DIU: The U.S. Defense Innovation Unit has chosen Elyria to enhance connectivity for defense applications under the Opportunistic, Resilient, and Innovative Expeditionary Network Topology Project (ORIENT). Elyria's role is pivotal in advancing resilient command and control for autonomous systems across various domains.

• NASA's Space Weather Magnometer Project: Southwest Research Institute of San Antonio has been selected to develop the next-generation Space Weather Magnometer for NASA's Lagrange 1 Series project. Valued at approximately $26.1 million, this contract spans from December 2024 to January 2034 and includes the development of two magnetometer instruments.

• Rocket Lab's Hypersonic Mission: Rocket Lab successfully launched a suborbital mission in November to test hypersonic technology for the Department of Defense. This mission showcased new technologies optimized for hypersonic tests with increased payload capacities.

• Lockheed Martin's Tactical Satellite (Tacsat): Lockheed Martin has completed its U.S. technology demonstration, with the tactical satellite ready for a 2025 launch aboard a Firefly Aerospace Alpha rocket. Tacsat aims to provide specialized sensing and communications capabilities in orbit, enhancing intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

• Planet Labs' Financial Growth: Earth observation company Planet Labs reported an 11% year-over-year increase in third-quarter revenue, reaching a record $61.3 million. The company has secured key contracts to provide satellite imagery for defense, maritime, and environmental monitoring.

• Sierra Space and Nvidia Collaboration: Sierra Space is partnering with Nvidia to enhance the prediction of orbital debris locations using physics-informed neural networks, significantly improving computational efficiency and accuracy.

• International Collaborations and Investments: Japan's ISPACE and Magna Petra are collaborating on lunar missions to prospect and extract helium-3 isotopes, aiming to develop a sustainable lunar economy. Additionally, French space propulsion company IonX has raised €13 million to industrialize its ion thrusters for small satellites.

Interview with Jonathan McDowell

Introduction to the Paper

At the 10:10 mark, Maria introduces the episode's guest, Jonathan McDowell, an esteemed astrophysicist and co-author of a groundbreaking paper titled "Rocket Launch and Reentry: Air Pollutant and CO₂ Emissions at the Onset of the Mega Constellation Era." Maria prompts Jonathan to provide an overview of his research.

Assessing Atmospheric Impact

Jonathan elaborates on the study at 10:30:

“For 50 years we've been using the upper atmosphere as an incinerator for old satellites. ... the amounts aren't as tiny as they used to be.”

He explains that the paper serves as an inventory to quantify the material reentering and burning up in Earth's atmosphere due to increased satellite launches. Notably, the influx of metallic elements like aluminum from reentries now surpasses certain natural influxes, such as meteors.

Uncertain Environmental Consequences

At 12:00, Jonathan underscores the uncertainty surrounding the environmental impact:

“We don't know. But the fact that we don't know and the answer may well still turn out to be no.”

He emphasizes the necessity for urgent scientific research to determine whether the current levels of atmospheric pollutants from space activities pose a threat to the ozone layer or other atmospheric functions.

Potential Multiplier Effects

Maria probes deeper into the chemical implications at 14:15, and Jonathan responds at 14:40:

“There are catalysts, right? That a small amount of certain materials can facilitate certain chemical reactions...”

He discusses how specific materials from reentering satellites may accelerate or alter atmospheric chemical reactions, potentially leading to more significant environmental effects than initially anticipated.

Exploring Solutions and Future Research

Maria raises a hypothetical scenario at 16:20 about halting satellite reentries, prompting Jonathan to share innovative ideas:

“You're going to send it to Tom's scrapyard in orbit and they're going to collect the materials and hopefully reprocess them and reuse them for shielding for satellites and things like that.”

Jonathan envisions a future where space debris is systematically recycled, reducing environmental impact and providing materials for new spacecraft. He also mentions the potential for alternative materials, such as the recently deployed wooden satellites by the Japanese, as a means to mitigate pollution.

Call for Continued Research

Concluding the interview at 19:12, Jonathan advocates for ongoing research:

“We have to do the science, we have to do the climate models...”

He stresses the importance of collaborative efforts among scientists to model and understand the cumulative effects of space activities on Earth's atmosphere, ensuring informed decisions as the space industry continues to expand.

Concluding Insights

The episode wraps up with a brief segment on the discovery of "dark comets," celestial objects that exhibit both asteroid-like and comet-like behaviors. This addition to our cosmic catalog highlights the ever-evolving understanding of our solar system's dynamics.

Maria emphasizes the importance of such research and discussions in shaping a sustainable future for space exploration, urging listeners to stay informed and engaged with the latest developments.

Key Takeaways

• Environmental Impact: Increased satellite launches and reentries are contributing more pollutants to the upper atmosphere than previously estimated, necessitating comprehensive research to understand potential climate and ozone layer effects.

• Innovative Solutions: Concepts like orbital recycling yards and the use of alternative materials (e.g., wood) in spacecraft design are emerging as potential strategies to mitigate environmental impacts.

• Industry Developments: Significant contracts and collaborations across the space sector indicate robust growth and technological advancements, underscoring the need for sustainable practices.

• Scientific Vigilance: Continuous scientific investigation is crucial to monitor and address the unforeseen consequences of the space industry's rapid expansion.

Notable Quotes

• Jonathan McDowell [10:30]: “For 50 years we've been using the upper atmosphere as an incinerator for old satellites... the amounts aren't as tiny as they used to be.”

• Jonathan McDowell [12:00]: “We don't know. But the fact that we don't know and the answer may well still turn out to be no.”

• Jonathan McDowell [14:40]: “There are catalysts, right? That a small amount of certain materials can facilitate certain chemical reactions...”

• Jonathan McDowell [16:55]: “You're going to send it to Tom's scrapyard in orbit and they're going to collect the materials and hopefully reprocess them and reuse them for shielding for satellites and things like that.”

• Jonathan McDowell [19:12]: “We have to do the science, we have to do the climate models...”

Further Resources

For a comprehensive understanding of Jonathan McDowell's research, listeners are encouraged to access the full report available in the show's show notes.

Produced by Alice Carruth with associate producer Liz Stokes. Mixed by Elliot Peltzman and Trey Hester. Original music by Elliot Peltzman. Executive Producer Jennifer Iban, Executive Editor Brandon Cr Harp, President Simone Petrella, and Publisher Peter Kilpie.

Stay Connected:
Follow T-Minus Space Daily on your preferred podcast platform and share this episode with peers to foster informed discussions about the future of space exploration and its environmental footprint.