Rocket Launches Threaten Ozone Layer Recovery

Sandro Vattioni and Timofei Sukhodolov highlight that the rapid increase in global rocket launches could delay the recovery of the ozone layer, a risk that is currently underestimated.

• Rocket launches and re-entering space debris release pollutants (chlorine, soot, metals, nitrogen oxides) into the middle atmosphere, where they persist and damage the ozone layer; unregulated rocket emissions could delay ozone recovery by years or decades.
• A projected scenario of 2,040 launches in 2030 could reduce global average ozone thickness by 0.3% and up to 4% seasonally over Antarctica; only 6% of launches currently use cryogenic fuels with negligible ozone impact, and re-entry effects are still poorly understood but likely significant.