We live in an age where human activity is the dominant influence on climate and the environment. Currently, the impact of space activities make up a tiny proportion of humankind’s emissions and environmental impact. But what is the environmental impact and sustainability of space transport – from rockets to transfer and return vehicles?
The environmental impact of space transportation that is quantifiable amounts to a tiny proportion of the total global transport industry, but in some areas – such as the upper atmosphere – there are unknowns. As space activities evolve, and the number of rockets and missions launched each year grows, it is important that we understand this sector’s environmental impact on the planet and beyond.